Display apparatus and method of driving the same

ABSTRACT

In a display apparatus provided with an electrophoresis layer, such a display apparatus as to improve the response performance of a touch detection is provided. A driving unit included in a display apparatus alternately repeats a display driving process for supplying a first driving signal to a driving electrode disposed in a selected partial display region and a detection driving process for supplying a second driving signal to a driving electrode disposed in another selected partial display region while successively cyclically changing the partial display region and successively cyclically changing another partial detection region. Moreover, in the detection driving process, a touch detection unit included in the display apparatus detects an input position at another selected partial detection region based on an electrostatic capacitance of the driving electrode disposed at another selected detection region.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/790,196, filed on Jul. 2, 2015, which claims priority to JapanesePriority Patent Application JP 2014-139107 filed in the Japan PatentOffice on Jul. 4, 2014, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a display apparatus and a method ofdriving the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to adisplay apparatus provided with an electrophoresis layer and a method ofdriving the display apparatus.

A display apparatus provided with, for example, an electrophoresis layercontaining electrophoretic particles functioning as charging particlesas a display layer for displaying an image has been proposed. Such adisplay apparatus includes: for example, an array substrate; a facingsubstrate disposed so as to face the array substrate; and anelectrophoresis layer sandwiched between the array substrate and thefacing substrate. On the array substrate, for example, a thin filmtransistor (TFT) functioning as a switching element is formed.

In such a display apparatus, an electric field is formed in theelectrophoresis layer by, for example, applying a voltage between apixel electrode formed on each pixel and a driving electrode commonlyformed for a plurality of pixels in each of the plurality of the pixels.At this time, the electrophoretic particles functioning as the chargedparticles are moved in the direction of the electric field or in thedirection opposite to the direction of the electric field, so that animage is displayed on each of the plurality of the pixels.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.2006-227249 (Patent Document 1), Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenPublication No. 2009-258735 (Patent Document 2) and Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open Publication No. 2014-029546 (Patent Document 3)have described a technique in which a display apparatus is provided withan electrophoresis layer as a display layer for displaying an image.

SUMMARY

It is considered that an input device referred to as a touch panel or atouch sensor is provided on a display surface side of such a displayapparatus provided with the electrophoresis layer, and that, when aninput operation is performed by making an input tool such as a finger ora touch pen contact with the touch panel, an input position is detected.Moreover, as one of detection systems for detecting the contact positionat which a finger or others is made in contact with the input device, itis considered that an electrostatic capacitance system is used. In theinput device using the electrostatic capacitance system, a plurality ofcapacitive elements each formed of paired electrodes that are disposedso as to face each other and so as to interpose a dielectric layertherebetween, that is, formed of a driving electrode and a detectionelectrode, are formed inside a surface of the input device. Moreover,when an inputting operation is performed by making the input tool suchas a finger, a touch pen or others contact with the capacitive element,a capacitance is added to the capacitive element so as to change thedetection capacitance, so that the input position is detected byutilizing the manner.

However, when the input device is externally attached onto the displaysurface side of the display apparatus, the driving electrodes for use indisplaying an image cannot be used also as the electrodes for use indetecting the input position. For this reason, electrodes for use indetecting the input position have to be provided on the display surfaceside of the display apparatus separately from the driving electrodes fordisplaying the image.

Moreover, the display apparatus provided with the electrophoresis layerhas a slower display-rewriting speed and a larger ratio of a frequencyfor repeating the touch detection with respect to a frequency forrewriting the display than those of a liquid crystal display apparatus.Therefore, in the display apparatus provided with the electrophoresislayer, it becomes more difficult to improve a response performance ofthe touch detection than the liquid crystal display apparatus.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of aconventional technique as described above, and an object of the presentinvention is to provide a display apparatus provided with anelectrophoresis layer in which a driving electrode for use in displayingan image can be also operated as an electrode for detecting an inputposition so as to improve a response of a touch detection.

The typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present applicationwill be briefly described as follows.

A display apparatus as one aspect of the present invention includes: afirst substrate; a second substrate that is disposed so as to face thefirst substrate; an electrophoresis layer sandwiched between the firstsubstrate and the second substrate; a plurality of first electrodesformed in a first region on a first main surface of the first substrate;a plurality of second electrodes formed in a second region on a secondmain surface of the second substrate; a first driving unit for supplyinga first driving signal and a second driving signal to the plurality ofthe second electrodes; and a first detection unit for detecting an inputposition based on an electrostatic capacitance of each of the pluralityof the second electrodes. The first region is divided into a firstplural number of first partial regions, and the second region is dividedinto a second plural number of second partial regions, the second pluralnumber being smaller than the first plural number. Any one or more ofthe plurality of the first electrodes is disposed in each of the firstplural number of the first partial regions, any one or more of theplurality of the second electrodes is disposed in each of the firstplural number of the first partial regions, and any one or more of theplurality of the second electrodes is disposed in each of the secondplural number of the second partial regions. The first driving unitalternately performs repeatedly a first driving process for supplying afirst driving signal to the second electrode of the plurality of secondelectrodes which is disposed in the first partial region selected fromthe first plural number of the first partial regions and a seconddriving process for supplying a second driving signal to the secondelectrode of the plurality of second electrodes which is disposed in thesecond partial region selected from the second plural number of thesecond partial regions. In the first driving process, the first drivingunit forms an electric field between the second electrode disposed inthe selected first partial region and the first electrode of theplurality of the first electrodes which is disposed in the selectedfirst partial region, so that an image is displayed in the selectedfirst partial region. In the second driving process, the first detectionunit detects an input position in the selected second partial regionbased on an electrostatic capacitance of the second electrode disposedin the selected second partial region. In the repeat processes, thefirst driving unit alternately repeats the first driving process and thesecond driving process while successively cyclically changing the firstpartial region selected from the first plural number of the firstpartial regions and successively cyclically changing the second partialregion selected from the second plural number of the second partialregions.

Also, in a method of driving a display apparatus as one aspect of thepresent invention, the display apparatus includes: a first substrate; asecond substrate that is disposed so as to face the first substrate; anelectrophoresis layer sandwiched between the first substrate and thesecond substrate; a plurality of first electrodes formed in a firstregion on a first main surface of the first substrate; a plurality ofsecond electrodes formed in a second region on a second main surface ofthe second substrate; a first driving unit for supplying a first drivingsignal and a second driving signal to the plurality of the secondelectrodes; and a first detection unit for detecting an input positionbased on an electrostatic capacitance of each of the plurality of thesecond electrodes. The first region is divided into a first pluralnumber of first partial regions, and the second region is divided into asecond plural number of second partial regions, the second plural numberbeing smaller than the first plural number. Any one or more of theplurality of the first electrodes is disposed in each of the firstplural number of the first partial regions, any one or more of theplurality of the second electrodes is disposed in each of the firstplural number of the first partial regions, and any one or more of theplurality of the second electrodes is disposed in each of the secondplural number of the second partial regions. Moreover, a method ofdriving the display apparatus includes: a step (a) of supplying a firstdriving signal by the first driving unit to the second electrode of theplurality of the second electrodes which is disposed in the firstpartial region selected from the first plural number of the firstpartial regions; and a step (b) of supplying a second driving signal bythe first driving unit to the second electrode of the plurality of thesecond electrodes which is disposed in the second partial regionselected from the second plural number of the second partial regions. Inthe step (a), an image is displayed in the selected first partial regionby forming an electric field between the second electrode disposed inthe selected first partial region and the first electrode of theplurality of the first electrodes which is disposed in the selectedfirst partial region. In the step (b), an input position is detected bythe first detection unit in the selected second partial region based onan electrostatic capacitance of the second electrode disposed in theselected second partial region. The step (a) and the step (b) arealternately repeated while successively cyclically changing the firstpartial region selected from the first plural number of the firstpartial regions and successively cyclically changing the second partialregion selected from the second plural number of the second partialregions.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of configuration of adisplay apparatus of a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a fingertouches or comes close to a touch detection device;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an equivalent circuit examplein a state in which a finger touches or comes close to the touchdetection device;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a waveform of each of adriving signal and a detection signal;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of module on which the displayapparatus of the first embodiment is mounted;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of configuration ofa display device with a touch detection function of the displayapparatus of the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example ofconfigurations of the display device with a touch detection function ofthe display apparatus of the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing one example of configurationof a driving electrode and an auxiliary electrode in the displayapparatus of the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing the display device with a touchdetection function of the display apparatus of the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one example of configuration of adriving electrode and a detection electrode of the display apparatus ofthe first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing an operation during one frameperiod of the display apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing an operation during one frameperiod of the display apparatus;

FIG. 13A is a diagram schematically showing a partial display regionsuccessively selected during each of a plurality of display operatingperiods;

FIG. 13B is a diagram schematically showing a partial display regionsuccessively selected during each of a plurality of display operatingperiods;

FIG. 14A is a diagram schematically showing a partial detection regionssuccessively selected during each of a plurality of touch detectionoperating periods;

FIG. 14B is a diagram schematically showing a partial detection regionssuccessively selected during each of a plurality of touch detectionoperating periods;

FIG. 15A is a timing waveform diagram showing various signals in thetouch detection operating period;

FIG. 15B is a timing waveform diagram showing various signals in thetouch detection operating period;

FIG. 15C is a timing waveform diagram showing various signals in thetouch detection operating period;

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operationsduring a plurality of display operating periods and a plurality of touchdetection operating periods included in one frame period of the displayapparatus;

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing operations during one frameperiod of a display apparatus in a comparative example;

FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically showing another example of operationsduring a plurality of display operating periods and a plurality of touchdetection operating periods included in one frame period of the displayapparatus;

FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing still another example ofoperations during the plurality of display operating periods and theplurality of touch detection operating periods included in one frameperiod of the display apparatus;

FIG. 20 is a timing waveform diagram showing gray levels and pixelsignals during a plurality of single frame periods when a gray level ofeach pixel is controlled;

FIG. 21A is a diagram schematically showing an example of controls ofgray levels in four sub-pixels adjacent to each other when a gray levelof each pixel is controlled;

FIG. 21B is a diagram schematically showing an example of controls ofgray levels in four sub-pixels adjacent to each other when a gray levelof each pixel is controlled;

FIG. 21C is a diagram schematically showing an example of controls ofgray levels in four sub-pixels adjacent to each other when a gray levelof each pixel is controlled;

FIG. 22 is a diagram schematically showing an example of operationsduring a plurality of display operating periods and a plurality of touchdetection operating periods included in a frame period when a gray levelof each pixel is controlled;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device with a touchdetection function of a first modified example of the first embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a plan view schematically showing configurations of a drivingelectrode and an auxiliary electrode in the first modified example ofthe first embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device with a touchdetection function of a second modified example of the first embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a plan view schematically showing configurations of a drivingelectrode and an auxiliary electrode of the second modified example ofthe first embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device with a touchdetection function of a third modified example of the first embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a plan view schematically showing configurations of a drivingelectrode and an auxiliary electrode of the third modified example ofthe first embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing one example of configuration of adisplay apparatus of a second embodiment;

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing an electrical connection stateof a detection electrode in a self-capacitance system;

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing another electrical connectionstate of the detection electrode in the self-capacitance system;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of configurationsof a display device with a touch detection function of the displayapparatus of the second embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a plan view schematically showing one example ofconfiguration of a driving electrode and an auxiliary electrode in thedisplay apparatus of the second embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device with a touchdetection function of a first modified example of the second embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a plan view schematically showing configurations of a drivingelectrode and an auxiliary electrode in the first modified example ofthe second embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device with a touchdetection function of a second modified example of the secondembodiment;

FIG. 37 is a plan view schematically showing configurations of a drivingelectrode and an auxiliary electrode in the second modified example ofthe second embodiment;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device with a touchdetection function of a third modified example of the second embodiment;and

FIG. 39 is a plan view schematically showing configurations of a drivingelectrode and an auxiliary electrode in the second modified example ofthe third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

Note that the disclosure shows simply an example, and an appropriatemodification that could have been easily thought up by those who skilledin the art even if a concept of the present invention is maintained isabsolutely included within the scope of the present invention. Moreover,in the drawings, the width, thickness, shape and others of each part areschematically shown more than the embodiments for more clearlyunderstanding the description. However, this is simply an example, anddoes not restrict the interpretation of the present invention.

Moreover, in the present specification and each drawing, the sameelement as that in the above-described drawings is denoted by the samereference symbol, and the detailed description thereof will be omittedappropriately in some cases.

Further, in the drawings used in the embodiments, hatching is omittedeven in a cross-sectional view so as to make the drawings easy to see insome cases. Also, in some drawings used in the embodiments, hatching isused even in a plan view so as to make the drawings easy to see in somecases.

Furthermore, when a range is described as A to B in the followingembodiments, this range indicates A or larger and B or smaller unlessotherwise specified.

First Embodiment

First, as the first embodiment, explanations will be made about anexample in which a display apparatus provided with an electrophoresisdisplay device has a touch detection device serving as an input deviceof a mutual capacitance system provided with a driving electrode and adetection electrode. The display apparatus of the first embodiment isconfigured by adopting the display apparatus provided with the touchpanel serving as the input device to a display apparatus having a touchdetection function of an in-cell type.

In the specification of the present application, note that the inputdevice is an input device for detecting an electrostatic capacitancethat changes in accordance with at least a capacitance of an object thatcomes close to, or is made in contact with an electrode. Moreover, thedisplay apparatus having the touch detection function of the in-celltype is a display apparatus in which a detection electrode for use intouch detection is provided on either an array substrate 2 or a facingsubstrate 3 included in the display apparatus. Furthermore, in thepresent first embodiment, descriptions will be made about the displayapparatus having a touch detection function of the in-cell type havingsuch a feature that a driving electrode for displaying an image isprovided so as to also function as an electrode for detecting an inputposition.

<Overall Configuration>

First, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of thedisplay apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is ablock diagram showing an example of configuration of the displayapparatus of the first embodiment.

A display apparatus 1 of the first embodiment is provided with a displaydevice 10 having a touch detection function, a control unit 11, a gatedriver 12, a source driver 13, a driving electrode driver 14 and a touchdetection unit 40. A scan driving unit 50 is formed of the source driver13 and the driving electrode driver 14.

The display device 10 having the touch detection function has a displaydevice 20 and a touch detection device 30. In the present firstembodiment, the display device 20 is assumed to be a display deviceusing an electrophoresis display element as a display element.Therefore, the display device 20 is sometimes referred to as anelectrophoresis display device 20 below. The touch detection device 30is a touch detection device of an electrostatic capacitance system, thatis, an electrostatic capacitance-type touch detection device. Therefore,the display apparatus 1 is a display apparatus provided with an inputdevice having a touch detection function. Moreover, the display device10 with the touch detection function is a display device obtained byintegrating the electrophoresis display 20 and the touch detectiondevice 30 so as to be a display device having a touch detection functionembedded therein, that is, a display device having a touch detectionfunction of an in-cell type.

As will be described later in a third modified example of a secondembodiment, note that the display device 10 having the touch detectionfunction may be a display device formed by attaching the touch detectiondevice 30 onto the display device 20.

The display device 20 displays an image by executing a successivescanning process on the display region for one horizontal line inaccordance with a scanning signal Vscan supplied from the gate driver12. The touch detection device 30 is operated based on a principle of anelectrostatic capacitance-type touch detection as will be describedlater, and outputs a detection signal Vdet.

Based on a video signal Vdisp supplied from the outside, the controlunit 11 is a circuit which supplies control signals to each of the gatedriver 12, the source driver 13, the driving electrode driver 14 and thetouch detection unit 40 to control these devices so as to be operated insynchronization with one another.

The gate driver 12 has such a function as, based on the control signalsupplied from the control unit 11, successively selecting one horizontalline which is a target of a display driving process by the displaydevice 10 having the touch detection function.

The source driver 13 is a circuit which supplies a pixel signal Vpix toa sub-pixel SPix (see FIG. 7 to be described later) included in thedisplay device 10 having the touch detection function based on a controlsignal of an image signal Vsig supplied from the control unit 11.

The driving electrode driver 14 included in the scan driving unit 50 isa circuit which, in performing a displaying operation, supplies adisplay driving signal Vcomd to driving electrodes COML1 and drivingelectrodes COML2 (see FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 to be described later) includedin the display device 10 having the touch detection function based onthe control signal supplied from the control unit 11. Moreover, thedriving electrode driver 14 included in the scan driving unit 50 is acircuit which, in performing a touch detection operation, supplies atouch detection driving signal Vcomt to driving electrodes COML1 (seeFIG. 5 or FIG. 6 to be described later) included in the display device10 having the touch detection function based on the control signalsupplied from the control unit 11.

Note that the driving electrode driver 14 included in the scan drivingunit 50 may, in performing the touch detection operation, supply thetouch detection driving signal Vcomt to auxiliary electrodes AE1 (seeFIG. 6 to be described later) electrically connected to the drivingelectrodes COML1 based on the control signal supplied from the controlunit 11. That is, the driving electrode driver 14 may, in performing thetouch detection operation, supply the touch detection driving signalVcomt formed of an alternate-current signal having the same phase asthat of an alternate-current signal contained in the touch detectiondriving signal Vcomt to the auxiliary electrodes AE1 (see FIG. 6 to bedescribed later) electrically connected to the driving electrodes COML1.

The touch detection unit 40 is a circuit which detects existence ornonexistence of touch by an input tool such as a finger or a touch penonto the touch detection device 30, that is, existence or nonexistenceof a touched state or a coming-close state to be described later basedon the control signal supplied from the control unit 11 and a detectionsignal Vdet supplied from the touch detection device 30 of the displaydevice 10 having the touch detection function. Moreover, the touchdetection unit 40 is a circuit which, if the touch exists, acquirescoordinates of the touch in a touch detection region, that is, acquiresan input position or others. The touch detection unit 40 is providedwith a touch sensing signal amplifying unit 42, an A/D (Analog/Digital)converting unit 43, a signal processing unit 44, a coordinate extractingunit 45 and a sensing timing control unit 46.

The touch sensing signal amplifying unit 42 amplifies the detectionsignal Vdet supplied from the touch detection device 30. The touchsensing signal amplifying unit 42 may be provided with a low-pass analogfilter that removes a high frequency component, that is, a noisecomponent, contained in the detection signal Vdet, and extracts a touchcomponent, and then outputs each component.

<Principle of Electrostatic Capacitance-Type Touch Detection>

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the principle of a touch detectionin the display apparatus 1 of the present first embodiment will bedescribed. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a touching state orcoming-close state of a finger onto the touch detection device. FIG. 3is an explanatory diagram showing an equivalent circuit example in thestate of the touching state or coming-close state of the finger onto thetouch detection device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of awaveform of each of a driving signal and a detection signal.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the electrostatic capacitance-type touchdetection, an input device referred to as a touch panel or a touchsensor has a driving electrode E1 and a detection electrode E2 that aredisposed so as to face each other and so as to interpose a dielectricmember D therebetween. A capacitive element C1 is formed of thesedriving electrode E1 and detection electrode E2. As shown in FIG. 3, oneend of the capacitive element C1 is connected to an alternate-currentsignal source S serving as a driving signal source, and the other end ofthe capacitive element C1 is connected to a voltage detector DET servingas a touch detection unit. The voltage detector DET is formed of, forexample, an integration circuit included in the touch sensing signalamplifying unit 42 shown in FIG. 1.

When an alternate-current rectangular wave Sg having a frequency of, forexample, about several kHz to several hundreds kHz, is applied from thealternate-current signal source S onto one end of the capacitive elementC1, that is, onto the driving electrode E1, a detection signal Vdethaving an output waveform is generated through the voltage detector DETconnected to the other end of the capacitive element C1, that is, thedetection electrode E2 side. Note that this alternate-currentrectangular wave Sg corresponds to, for example, a touch detectiondriving signal Vcomt shown in FIG. 4.

In a state in which the finger does not contact or come close, that is,in a no contact state, as shown in FIG. 3, an electric current I₁ isflowed in accordance with the capacitance value of the capacitiveelement C1 by charge/discharge of the capacitive element C1. The voltagedetector DET converts fluctuation of the electric current I₁ inaccordance with the alternate-current rectangular wave Sg to fluctuationof voltage. This voltage fluctuation is denoted by a waveform V_(O) witha solid line in FIG. 4.

On the other hand, in a state in which the finger contacts or comesclose, that is, in a contact state, the capacitance value of thecapacitive element C1 formed of the driving electrode E1 and thedetection electrode E2 becomes small because of being influenced by anelectrostatic capacitance C2 formed by the finger. For this reason, theelectric current I₁ flowing through the capacitive element C1 shown inFIG. 3 is fluctuated. The voltage detector DET converts the fluctuationof the electric current I₁ in accordance with the alternate-currentrectangular wave Sg to a fluctuation of voltage. This fluctuation ofvoltage is shown by a waveform V₁ with a broken line in FIG. 4. In thiscase, the waveform V₁ has an amplitude smaller than that of theabove-described waveform V_(O). Thus, the absolute value |ΔV| of avoltage difference between the waveform V_(O) and waveform V₁ changes inaccordance with an influence of an object, such as a finger, that comesclose thereto from the outside. In order to accurately detect theabsolute value |ΔV| of the voltage difference between the waveform V_(O)and waveform V₁, note that the voltage detector DET is preferablyoperated so as to include a resetting period Reset for resetting thecharge/discharge of the capacitor in accordance with the frequency ofthe alternate-current rectangular wave Sg by switching inside thecircuit.

In an example shown in FIG. 1, the touch detection device 30 performsthe touch detection in accordance with the touch detection drivingsignal Vcomt supplied from the driving electrode driver 14 for each ofdetection blocks, that is, a partial detection region Atp (see FIG. 13to be described later) corresponding to one or a plurality of drivingelectrodes COML1 (see FIG. 5 or 6 to be described later). That is, thetouch detection device 30 outputs a detection signal Vdet through thevoltage detector DET shown in FIG. 3 for each one of the detectionregions Atp corresponding to one or a plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1, and supplies the outputted detection signal Vdet tothe touch sensing signal amplifying unit 42 of the touch detection unit40.

The A/D converting unit 43 is a circuit for converting an analog signalto a digital signal by sampling each analog signal outputted from thetouch sensing signal amplifying unit 42 at a timing synchronized withthe touch detection driving signal Vcomt.

The signal processing unit 44 is provided with a digital filter forreducing a component of a frequency other than a frequency obtained bysampling the touch detection driving signal Vcomt contained in theoutput signal of the A/D converting unit 43, that is, reducing a noisecomponent. The signal processing unit 44 is a logical circuit thatdetects existence or nonexistence of the touch onto the touch detectiondevice 30 based on the output signal of the A/D converting unit 43. Thesignal processing unit 44 performs a process of extracting only adifferential voltage caused by the finger. The differential voltagecaused by the finger is the above-described absolute value |ΔV| of thedifference between the waveform V_(O) and waveform V₁. The signalprocessing unit 44 may perform an arithmetic operation for averaging theabsolute value |ΔV| per one partial detection region so as to acquire anaverage value of the absolute values |ΔV|. Thus, the signal processingunit 44 can reduce the influence of the noise. The signal processingunit 44 compares the detected differential voltage caused by the fingerwith a predetermined threshold voltage. If it is equal to or larger thanthe threshold value voltage, the state is determined as the contactstate of the external approaching object from the outside. If it issmaller than the threshold voltage, the state is determined as nocontact state of the external approaching object. In this manner, thetouch detection by the touch detection unit 40 is performed.

The coordinate extracting unit 45 is a logical circuit which, when thetouching is detected by the signal processing unit 44, acquires thecoordinates of the position at which the touching is detected, that is,the input position in the touch panel. The sensing timing control unit46 controls so that the A/D converting unit 43, the signal processingunit 44 and the coordinate extracting unit 45 are operated insynchronization with one another. The coordinate extracting unit 45outputs touch panel coordinates as a signal output Vout.

<Module>

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of module on which the displayapparatus of the first embodiment is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 5, a display device 10 having a touch detectionfunction according to the first embodiment has a substrate 21, asubstrate 31, a plurality of driving electrodes COML1 and a plurality ofdriving electrodes COML2.

The substrate 21 has an upper surface serving as one main surface and alower surface serving as the other main surface on the side opposite tothe upper surface. Moreover, the substrate 31 has an upper surfaceserving as one main surface and a lower surface serving as the othermain surface on the side opposite to the upper surface. Here, it isassumed that two directions that intersect with each other, and morepreferably, are orthogonal to each other, within the upper surface ofthe substrate 21 or within the lower surface of the substrate 21, orwithin the upper surface of the substrate 31 or within the lower surfaceof the substrate 31, are an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction. Atthis time, each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 isextended in the X-axis direction and is also arranged in the Y-axisdirection when seen in a plan view. Moreover, each of the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML2 is extended in the Y-axis direction and isalso arranged in the X-axis direction when seen in a plan view.

As will be described later with reference to FIG. 7, each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 is formed so as to overlapwith a plurality of sub-pixels SPix arranged in the X-axis directionwhen seen in a plan view. That is, one driving electrode COML1 is formedas a common electrode for the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix.

In the specification of the present application, note that theexpression “when seen in a plan view” means a case of viewing from adirection perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate 21 or tothe upper surface of the substrate 31.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the display device 10 having the touchdetection function has a rectangular shape provided with two sides eachof which is extended in the X-axis direction and which face each otherand two sides each of which is extended in the Y-axis direction andwhich face each other when seen in a plan view. On one side of thedisplay device 10 having the touch detection function in the Y-axisdirection, a terminal unit TM is formed. The terminal unit TM and eachof the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 are electricallyconnected to each other by a routing wiring WR2. The terminal unit TM isconnected to the touch detection unit 40 (see FIG. 1) that is mounted onthe external portion of this module. Therefore, the driving electrodesCOML2 are connected to the touch detection unit 40 through the routingwiring WR2 and the terminal unit TM.

The display device 10 having the touch detection function has a COG 19.The COG 19 is a chip mounted on the substrate 21 which embedding each ofcircuits required for a displaying operation, such as the control unit11, the gate driver 12, and the source driver 13 shown in FIG. 1.Moreover, the driving electrode driver 14 may be embedded in the COG 19.Although not shown in the drawings in detail, the COG 19 and each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 are electrically connected toeach other by a routing wiring WR1.

Note that various substrates such as, for example, a glass substrate ora film made of resin can be used as the substrate 21. Moreover, as thesubstrate 31, various transparent substrates relative to visible light,such as a film made of resin of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) orothers, can be used. Furthermore, in the specification of the presentapplication, the expression “transparent . . . relative to visiblelight” means that its transmittance relative to visible light is, forexample, 90% or higher, and the transmittance relative to visible lightmeans an average value of transmittances relative to light havingwavelengths of, for example, 380 to 780 nm.

<Display Device Having Touch Detection Function>

Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, the display device having thetouch detection function of the display apparatus will be described.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views showing one example of aconfiguration of the display device having the touch detection functionof the display apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is aplan view schematically showing one example of configurations of thedriving electrodes and auxiliary electrodes in the display apparatusaccording to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a peripheral portion ofone sub-pixel SPix in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 6, theportion shown as a peripheral portion of a TFT element Tr so as to beenlarged. Moreover, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a lineA-A of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing the display device having the touchdetection function of the display apparatus according to the firstembodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example ofconfiguration of the driving electrodes and detection electrodes of thedisplay apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The display device 10 having the touch detection function has an arraysubstrate 2, a facing substrate 3, an electrophoresis layer 5, aprotective substrate 6 and a sealing portion 7. The facing substrate 3has a facing arrangement in which an upper surface serving as a mainsurface of the array substrate 2 and a lower surface serving as a mainsurface of the facing substrate 3 are arranged so as to face each other.The electrophoresis layer 5 is formed between the array substrate 2 andthe facing substrate 3. That is, the electrophoresis layer 5 issandwiched between the upper surface of the substrate 21 and the lowersurface of the substrate 31.

The array substrate 2 has the substrate 21. Moreover, the facingsubstrate has the substrate 31. As described above, the substrate 21 hasan upper surface serving as one main surface, and a lower surfaceserving as the other main surface on the side opposite to the uppersurface. Moreover, the substrate 31 has an upper surface serving as onemain surface, and a lower surface serving as the other main surface onthe side opposite to the upper surface. The substrate 31 is disposed soas to face the substrate 21 so that the upper surface serving as themain surface of the substrate 21 and the lower surface serving as themain surface of the facing substrate 31 face each other. The uppersurface of the substrate 21 includes a display region Ad serving as oneregion of the upper surface. The upper surface of the substrate 31includes a touch detection region At serving as one region of the uppersurface. When seen in a plan view, the display region Ad and the touchdetection region At may be the same region, or the display region Ad maybe disposed within the touch detection region At, or the touch detectionregion At may be disposed within the display region Ad.

As shown in FIG. 6, the array substrate 2 has the substrate 21, aninsulating film 23 and a plurality of pixel electrodes 22. As shown inFIG. 9, in the display region Ad, a plurality of scanning lines GCL anda plurality of signal lines SGL are formed on the upper surface of thesubstrate 21. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, a plurality ofTFT elements Tr are formed on the upper surface of the substrate 21.Each of the TFT elements Tr is, for example, a thin-film transistorserving as an n-channel type MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

Note that, FIG. 6 shows an insulating film 23 in which an insulatingfilm 23 b, an interlayer resin film 23 f and an insulating film 23 gshown in FIG. 7 are integrally formed. Moreover, the scanning line meansa gate wiring, and the signal line means a source wiring.

As shown in FIG. 9, on the upper surface of the substrate 21, aplurality of scanning lines GCL are formed. As shown in FIG. 9, each ofthe plurality of scanning lines GCL is extended in the X-axis directionand is also arranged in the Y-axis direction when seen in a plan view.Each of the plurality of scanning lines GCL is made of an opaque metalsuch as aluminum (Al) or molybdenum (Mo). At an intersecting pointbetween the signal line SGL and the scanning line GCL as describedlater, a gate electrode 23 a is extended from the scanning line GCL.

On the upper surface of the substrate 21, an insulating film 23 bserving as a gate insulating film is formed so as to cover the pluralityof the scanning lines GCL and gate electrodes 23 a. The insulating film23 b is a transparent insulating film made of, for example, siliconnitride or silicon oxide.

On the insulating film 23 b, a plurality of signal lines SGL are formed.Each of the plurality of the signal lines SGL is extended in the Y-axisdirection and is also arranged in the X-axis direction when seen in aplan view. Each of the signal lines SGL is made of an opaque metal suchas aluminum (Al) or molybdenum (Mo). At an intersecting point betweenthe signal line SGL and the scanning line GCL, a source electrode 23 cis extended from the signal line SGL.

On the insulating film 23 b at a portion overlapping with the gateelectrode 23 a when seen in a plan view, a semiconductor layer 23 d isformed. The semiconductor layer 23 d is made of, for example, amorphoussilicon or polycrystalline silicon. The above-described source electrode23 c is made in contact with partially the semiconductor layer 23 d.

Moreover, on the insulating film 23 b, a drain electrode 23 e made ofthe same material as those of the scanning line GCL and the sourceelectrode 23 c is formed. The drain electrode 23 e is disposed closelyto the source electrode 23 c, and is partially made in contact with thesemiconductor layer 23 d.

More preferably, the drain electrode 23 e is made of a conductor filmformed in the same layer as the conductor film included in the signalline SGL. Thus, the drain electrode 23 e can be formed by the sameprocess as the process of forming the signal lines SGL.

In this manner, by disposing the TFT element Tr on each of a pluralityof intersecting points at which the plurality of the scanning lines GCLand the plurality of the signal lines SGL intersect with each other, theplurality of the TFT elements Tr are formed. Each of the plurality ofthe TFT elements Tr is a switching element formed of the gate electrode23 a, the insulating film 23 b, the source electrode 23 c, thesemiconductor layer 23 d and the drain electrode 23 e. The plurality ofthe TFT elements Tr are formed on the upper surface of the substrate 21.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix areformed so as to correspond to the plurality of the TFT elements Tr,respectively. The plurality of the sub-pixels SPix are disposed in amatrix form in the direction in which the scanning lines GCL areextended (X-axis direction) as well as in the direction in which thesignal lines SGL are extended (Y-axis direction). Note that the regionin which the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix are disposed in the matrixform is, for example, the above-described display region Ad.

On the insulating film 23 b, an interlayer resin film 23 f is formed soas to cover the plurality of the signal lines SGL, the plurality of thesource electrodes 23 c, the plurality of the semiconductor layers 23 dand the plurality of the drain electrodes 23 e. The interlayer resinfilm 23 f is a flattening film so as to partially cover exposed portionsof the plurality of the signal lines SGL, the plurality of the sourceelectrodes 23 c, the plurality of the semiconductor layers 23 d, theplurality of the drain electrodes 23 e and the insulating film 23 b, andalso to flatten irregular surfaces formed of each upper surface of theplurality of the signal lines SGL, the plurality of the sourceelectrodes 23 c, the plurality of the semiconductor layers 23 d, theplurality of the drain electrodes 23 e and the insulating film 23 b. Theinterlayer resin film 23 f is made of, for example, a transparent resinmaterial such as a photoresist.

On the interlayer resin film 23 f, an insulating film 23 g is formed.The insulating film 23 g is a transparent insulating film made of, forexample, silicon nitride or silicon oxide.

On the insulating film 23 g, a plurality of pixel electrodes 22 areformed. That is, the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22 are formed onthe upper surface of the substrate 21. Note that the plurality of thepixel electrodes 22 may be formed on the lower surface of the substrate21.

When seen in a plan view, each of the plurality of the pixel electrodes22 is disposed inside each of the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix. Eachof the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22 is made of a transparentconductive material such as ITO or IZO. When seen in a plan view, on theperiphery of the sub-pixel SPix, an opening 23 h is formed at a positionoverlapped with the drain electrode 23 e so as to penetrate through theinsulating film 23 g and the interlayer resin film 23 f to reach thedrain electrode 23 e. The pixel electrode 22 is also formed on the innerwall of the opening 23 h as well as on the drain electrode 23 e exposedfrom the bottom of the opening 23 h so as to be electrically connectedto the drain electrode 23 e exposed from the bottom of the opening 23 h.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, on the upper surface of the substrate 21, agroup of auxiliary electrodes AEG made of a plurality of auxiliaryelectrodes AE1 are formed. The plurality of the auxiliary electrodes AE1are formed in the same layer as those of the scanning lines GCL and thegate electrodes 23 a on the upper surface of the substrate 21 at thedisplay region Ad or the touch detection region At when seen in a planview. Therefore, the insulating film 23 b is formed so as to cover theplurality of the auxiliary electrodes AE1. Each of the plurality of theauxiliary electrodes AE1 is extended in the X-axis direction and is alsoarranged in the Y-axis direction when seen in a plan view.

More preferably, each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1is electrically connected to any one or more of the plurality of theauxiliary electrodes AE1 through a conductive portion 71 formed insidethe sealing portion 7. That is, each of the plurality of the auxiliaryelectrodes AE1 is electrically connected to the driving electrode driver14 (see FIG. 1) through a routing wiring WR1 (see FIG. 5). Thus, inperforming the touch detection operation, a touch detection drivingsignal Vcomt (see FIG. 1) formed of an alternate-current signal havingthe same phase as the alternate-current signal contained in the touchdetection driving signal Vcomt supplied to the driving electrode COML1can be supplied to the auxiliary electrode AE1. Therefore, a parasiticcapacitance generated between the driving electrode COML1 and each ofthe wirings included in the array substrate 2 can be eliminated so thatthe sensitivity of the touch detection can be improved.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the facing substrate 3 has the substrate 31,the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 and the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML2.

Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 and the pluralityof the driving electrodes COML2 is made of a transparent conductormaterial such as ITO or IZO. The plurality of the driving electrodesCOML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 are formed onthe lower surface of the substrate 31 at the display region Ad or thetouch detection region At when seen in a plan view. Note that theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 or the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML2 may be formed on the upper surface of thesubstrate 31.

Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 is extended in theX-axis direction and is also arranged in the Y-axis direction when seenin a plan view. Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1includes a plurality of electrode portions CP1 and a plurality ofconnection portions CN1. Each of the plurality of the electrode portionsCP1 and each of the plurality of the connection portions CN1 are formedon the lower surface of the substrate 31 at the display region Ad or thetouch detection region At. The plurality of the electrode portions CP1are arranged in the X-axis direction when seen in a plan view. Moreover,the two electrode portions CP1 that are adjacent to each other in theX-axis direction are electrically connected to each other by theconnection portion CN1.

Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 is extended in theY-axis direction and is also arranged in the X-axis direction when seenin a plan view. Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2includes a plurality of electrode portions CP2 and a plurality ofconnection portions CN2. Each of the plurality of the electrode portionsCP2 and each of the plurality of the connection portions CN2 are formedon the lower surface of the substrate 31 at the display region Ad or thetouch detection region At. The plurality of the electrode portions CP2are arranged in the Y-axis direction when seen in a plan view. Moreover,the two electrode portions CP2 that are adjacent to each other in theY-axis direction are electrically connected to each other by theconnection portion CN2.

In the example as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML2 are formed in the same layer. For this reason, the connectionportions CN2 are formed in a layer different from that of the electrodeportion CP2, and each of them is formed so as to bridge over each of theconnection portions CN1 through an insulating film not shown.

As the electrophoresis layer 5, such a layer as to contain, for example,a plurality of electrophoretic particles serving as a plurality ofcharged particles may be used. More preferably, as shown in FIG. 6 andFIG. 7, as the electrophoresis layer 5, such a layer as to contain aplurality of microcapsules 51 whose insides contain a plurality ofelectrophoresis particles sealed therein, may be used.

Each of the microcapsules 51 is a transparent capsule. The microcapsule51 is made from, for example, gum Arabic and gelatin. Inside each of themicrocapsules 51, a dispersion solution 52, black fine particles 53serving as a plurality of electrophoresis particles and white fineparticles 54 serving as a plurality of electrophoresis particles aresealed. The dispersion solution 52 is made of a transparent liquid. Thedispersion solution 52 is made of, for example, silicone oil. The blackfine particles 53 are made of, for example, negatively-charged graphite.On the other hand, the white fine particles 54 are made of, for example,positively-charged titanium oxide (TiO₂).

Note that, for example, a transparent binder polymer may be filled in aportion of the electrophoresis layer 5, the portion being between themicrocapsules 51 although the illustration thereof is omitted.

Such an electrophoresis layer 5 can be formed between the arraysubstrate 2 and the facing substrate 3 by using the following method.First, on one main surfaces of the substrate 31 made of, for example, aresin such as PET, the driving electrode COML1 and the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML2 are formed. Next, for example, themicrocapsules 51 are applied onto the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 in astate mixed with, for example, a transparent binder polymer ifnecessary. Next, the substrate 31 with the microcapsules 51 appliedthereon is bonded to the substrate 21 in a state that the main surfacethereof on which the microcapsules 51 are applied faces the main surfaceof the substrate 21 on which the pixel electrodes 22 are formed, thatis, the upper surface of the substrate 21. Thus, between the substrate21 included in the array substrate 2 and the substrate 31 included inthe facing substrate 3, an electrophoresis layer 5 made of themicrocapsules 51 can be formed.

A thickness of the electrophoresis layer 5, that is, a distance DST1between the lower surface of the driving electrode COML1 and the uppersurface of the pixel electrode 22 is, for example, about 30 to 200 μm.Meanwhile, a thickness of a liquid crystal layer in a liquid crystaldisplay device is, for example, about 3 μm. Therefore, the thickness ofthe electrophoresis layer 5 is larger than the thickness of the liquidcrystal layer in the liquid crystal display device.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the protective substrate 6 has asubstrate 61, a color filter layer 62, an optical film 63 and a barrierfilm 64. Note that it may be not required to form the color filter layer62. In this case, the display apparatus 1 of the first embodiment is adisplay apparatus of a mono-color display type.

The substrate 61 has an upper surface serving as a main surface and alower surface serving as a main surface on the side opposite to theupper surface. As the substrate 61, various transparent substrates withrespect to visible light, such as, for example, a glass substrate, or,for example, a film made of a resin such as PET may be used.

The color filter layer 62 is formed on the lower surface of thesubstrate 61. As the color filter layer 62, color filter layers coloredinto three colors such as red (R), green (G) and blue (B) are arrangedin the X-axis direction. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 9, a pluralityof sub-pixels SPix corresponding to the color regions 62R, 62G and 62Bof three colors R, G and B are formed, respectively, and one pixel Pixis formed by using the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix corresponding tothe respective color regions 62R, 62G and 62B which are in one set. Thepixels Pix are disposed in a matrix form in the direction (X-axisdirection) in which the scanning lines GCL are extended and in thedirection (Y-axis direction) in which the signal lines SGL are extended.Moreover, a region in which the pixels Pix are disposed in the matrixform is, for example, the above-described display region Ad.

As color combination of the color filter layer 62, a combination of aplurality of colors including colors other than R, G and B may be used.Moreover, the color filter layer 62 may not be formed. Alternatively,one pixel Pix may include a sub-pixel SPix with no color filter 62formed thereon, that is, a white-color sub-pixel SPix.

The optical film 63 and the barrier film 64 are successively formed onthe lower surface of the substrate 61 so as to cover the color filterlayers 62. As the optical film 63 and the barrier film 64, for example,a film made of a resin or others may be used.

The sealing portion 7 is formed between the outer peripheral portion ofthe array substrate 2 and the outer peripheral portion of the facingsubstrate 3. A space between the array substrate 2 and the facingsubstrate 3 is sealed by the sealing portion 7 formed so as to surroundan outer peripheral portion of the space. And, in the space sealed bythe sealing portion 7, the electrophoresis layer 5 is formed asdescribed above.

A conductive portion 71 is formed inside the sealing portion 7. Theconductive portion 71 allows the end portion of the auxiliary electrodeAE1 and the end portion of the driving electrode COML1 to be conductedto each other. That is, the auxiliary electrode AE1 and the drivingelectrode COML1 are electrically connected to each other through theconductive portion 71. The conductive portion 71 is formed by atransparent conductive material such as ITO, or fine particles made of ametal material.

The electrophoresis display device 20 has a plurality of scanning linesGCL, a plurality of signal lines SGL, a plurality of TFT elements Tr, aplurality of pixel electrodes 22, a plurality of driving electrodesCOML1, a plurality of driving electrodes COML2 and a plurality ofelectrophoresis elements EP. The electrophoresis display device 20displays images for each one of display blocks, that is, each partialdisplay regions Adp (see FIG. 13 to be described later) corresponding toone or the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1. That is, theelectrophoresis display device 20 supplies a display driving signalVcomd (see FIG. 1) to each one of the partial display regions Adpcorresponding to one or the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1.

As described above, the sub-pixels SPix are disposed at the intersectingpoints between the plurality of the scanning lines GCL and the pluralityof the signal lines SGL that intersect with each other when seen in aplan view, so that one pixel Pix is formed by the plurality ofsub-pixels SPix having different colors. Moreover, the TFT elements Trare formed at the intersecting points in which the plurality of thescanning lines GCL and the plurality of the signal lines SGL intersectwith each other when seen in a plan view. Therefore, the TFT element Tris formed at each of the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix. Moreover, anelectrophoresis element EP is formed at each of the plurality of thesub-pixels SPix, in addition to the TFT element Tr.

As shown in FIG. 9, the gate electrode of each TFT element Tr isconnected to the scanning line GCL. The source electrode of the TFTelement Tr is connected to the signal line SGL. The drain electrode ofthe TFT element Tr is connected to one end of the electrophoresiselement EP. The electrophoresis element EP has, for example, one endconnected to the drain electrode of the TFT element Tr and the other endconnected to the driving electrode COML1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22 are formedinside the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix disposed in the matrix formin the X-axis direction as well as in the Y-axis direction at thedisplay region Ad when seen in a plan view, respectively. Therefore, theplurality of the pixel electrodes 22 are disposed in the matrix form inthe X-axis direction as well as in the Y-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 areformed so as to be overlapped with the plurality of pixel electrodes 22when seen in a plan view, respectively. At this time, a pixel signalVpix (see FIG. 1) is supplied to each of the plurality of the pixelelectrodes 22 by the source driver 13, and a display driving signalVcomd (see FIG. 1) is supplied to each of the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 by the driving electrode driver 14. And, by forming anelectric field between each of the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22and each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1, that is, inthe electrophoresis element EP formed on each of the plurality of thesub-pixels SPix, an image is displayed in the display region Ad. At thistime, a capacitance Cap is formed between the driving electrode COML1and the pixel electrode 22, and the capacitance Cap functions as aholding capacitor.

As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix arranged in theX-axis direction, that is, the plurality of the sub-pixels SPixbelonging to the same line of the electrophoresis display device 20, areconnected with each other by the scanning line GCL. The scanning lineGCL is connected to the gate driver 12 (see FIG. 1), and a scanningsignal Vscan (see FIG. 1) is supplied by the gate driver 12. Moreover,the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix arranged in the Y-axis direction,that is, the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix belonging to the same rowof the electrophoresis display device 20, are connected with each otherby the signal line SGL. Each of the plurality of the signal lines SGL isconnected to the source driver 13 (see FIG. 1), and a pixel signal Vpix(see FIG. 1) is supplied by the source driver 13.

The plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 are connected to thedriving electrode driver 14 (see FIG. 1). The driving electrode driver14 supplies a display driving signal Vcomd (see FIG. 1) to the pluralityof the driving electrodes COML1. In the example shown in FIG. 9, each ofthe plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 is extended in the X-axisdirection and is also arranged in the Y-axis direction in the displayregion Ad. And, the plurality of the sub-pixels SPix belonging to thesame line share one driving electrode COML1.

The gate driver 12 (see FIG. 1) supplies a scanning signal Vscan to thegate electrode of the TFT element Tr of each of the sub-pixels SPixthrough the scanning line GCL, so that one line of the sub-pixels SPIxformed into the matrix form in the electrophoresis display device 20,that is, one horizontal line thereof, is successively selected as adisplay driving target.

The source driver 13 (see FIG. 1) supplies a pixel signal Vpixrespectively to the pixel electrodes 22 included in the plurality of therespective sub-pixels SPix forming one horizontal line that issuccessively selected by the gate driver 12 through the signal line SGL.

In performing the displaying operation in the electrophoresis displaydevice 20, for example, one display block, that is, a partial displayregion Adp (see FIG. 13 to be described later) corresponding to one orthe plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 in the Y-axis direction issuccessively selected by the driving electrode driver 14 (see FIG. 1).Moreover, the display driving signal Vcomd (see FIG. 1) is supplied toone or the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 disposed in theselected partial display region Adp by the driving electrode driver 14.The gate driver 12 drives so as to successively scan the scanning linesGCL in time division, so that the sub-pixels SPix are successivelyselected for one horizontal line. Then, the pixel signal Vpix (seeFIG. 1) is supplied by the source driver 13 to the pixel electrodes 22contained in the respective sub-pixels SPix belonging to the selectedone horizontal line. In this manner, an electric field is formed betweeneach of the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22 and each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 in the selected partialdisplay region Adp, so that an image is displayed in each horizontalline in the selected partial display region Adp.

Note that each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 isextended in the Y-axis direction and is also arranged in the X-axisdirection in the display region Ad as shown in FIG. 8 althoughillustration is omitted in FIG. 9. In such a case, the plurality of thesub-pixels SPix belonging to the same row share one driving electrodeCOML2. Moreover, when the display driving signal Vcomd (see FIG. 1) issupplied by the driving electrode driver 14 to one or the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML1 disposed in the selected partial displayregion Adp (see FIG. 13 to be described later), the display drivingsignal Vcomd (see FIG. 1) may also be supplied by the driving electrodedriver 14 to the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 that areoverlapped with the selected partial display region Adp when seen in aplan view. Furthermore, an electric field is formed between each of theplurality of the pixel electrodes 22 and each of the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML2 in the selected partial display region Adp, sothat an image may be displayed in the selected partial display regionAdp.

Moreover, even when the partial display regions Adp (see FIG. 13 to bedescribed later) are successively selected in performing the displayingoperation, the display driving signal Vcomd (see FIG. 1) may be alwayssupplied by the driving electrode driver 14 to the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 disposed in all the partial display regionsAdp. Even in such a case, in performing the displaying operation, thedisplay driving signal Vcomd (see FIG. 1) is supplied by the drivingelectrode driver 14 to one or the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML1 disposed on at least the selected partial display region Adp.

Meanwhile, the touch detection device 30 has a plurality of drivingelectrodes DRVL and a plurality of detection electrodes TDL formed onthe facing substrate 3.

In the example shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 are operated as the driving electrodes of theelectrophoresis display device, and are also operated as drivingelectrodes DRVL of the touch detection device. Moreover, the pluralityof the driving electrodes COML2 are operated as the driving electrodesfor the electrophoresis display device, and are also operated asdetection electrodes TDL for the touch detection device.

Each of the plurality of the detection electrodes TDL is extended in adirection intersecting with a direction in which each of the pluralityof the driving electrodes DRVL is extended when seen in a plan view. Inother words, the plurality of the detection electrodes TDL have a spacetherebetween so as to intersect with the plurality of the drivingelectrodes DRVL when seen in a plan view. Each of the plurality of thedetection electrodes TDL is connected to the touch sensing signalamplifying unit 42 (see FIG. 1) of the touch detection unit 40.

An electrostatic capacitance is generated at an intersecting pointbetween each of the plurality of the driving electrodes DRVL and each ofthe plurality of the detection electrodes TDL when seen in a plan view.Then, based on the electrostatic capacitance between each of theplurality of the driving electrodes DRVL and each of the plurality ofthe detection electrodes TDL, the touch detection unit 40 (see FIG. 1)detects the input position.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the touch detection device 30 in performing thetouch detection operation, one detection block corresponding to one orthe plurality of the driving electrodes DRVL in a scanning directionScan, that is, the partial detection region Atp (see FIG. 13 to bedescribed later) is successively selected by the driving electrodedriver 14. Thus, a touch detection driving signal Vcomt for measuringthe electrostatic capacitance between the driving electrode DRVL and thedetection electrode TDL is inputted, that is, supplied by the drivingelectrode driver 14 to one or the plurality of the driving electrodesDRVL disposed in the selected partial detection region Atp, and adetection signal Vdet for detecting the input position is outputted fromthe detection electrode TDL. As described above, in the touch detectiondevice 30, the touch detection operation is performed for each one ofthe partial detection regions Atp. Note that the driving electrodes DRVLcorrespond to the driving electrodes E1 in the principle of theabove-described touch detection, and the detection electrodes TDLcorrespond to the detection electrodes E2.

As shown in FIG. 10, when seen in a plan view, the plurality of thedriving electrodes DRVL and the plurality of the detection electrodesTDL that intersect with each other form electrostatic capacitance-typetouch sensors arranged in a matrix form. Therefore, by scanning theentire surface of the touch detection region At of the touch detectiondevice 30, the position at which the finger or others touches or comesclose can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, a group of auxiliary electrodes AEGformed of the auxiliary electrodes AE1 may be formed. Moreover, inperforming the touch detection operation, a touch detection drivingsignal Vcomt formed of an alternate-current signal having the same phaseas the alternate-current signal contained in the touch detection drivingsignal Vcomt supplied to the driving electrodes DRVL formed of thedriving electrodes COML1 may be supplied to the auxiliary electrodesAE1. That is, when the scan driving unit 50 supplies the touch detectiondriving signal Vcomt to the plurality of the driving electrodes DRVL andalso supplies the touch detection driving signal Vcomt to the pluralityof the auxiliary electrodes AE1, the touch detection unit 40 may detectthe input position based on an electrostatic capacitance generatedbetween each of the plurality of the driving electrodes DRVL and each ofthe plurality of the detection electrodes TDL. Thus, a parasiticcapacitance generated between the driving electrodes DRVL and each ofwirings included in the array substrate 2 can be eliminated so that thesensitivity of the touch detection can be improved. However, theauxiliary electrodes AE1 may not be formed.

<Driving Method>

Next, a method of driving the display apparatus 1 according to thepresent first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams schematically showing operations in oneframe period of the display apparatus. Each lateral direction of FIG. 11and FIG. 12 represents time, and each longitudinal direction of FIG. 11and FIG. 12 represents an aligning direction of the partial displayregions Adp and the partial detection regions Atp. FIG. 12 is a diagramfor use in comparison with a modified example of a driving methodexplained by using FIG. 17 to be described later, and this view isobtained by compressing FIG. 11 in the lateral direction. Note that FIG.11 and FIG. 12 show the overall display driving process for the entiresurface of the display region Ad (see FIG. 5) as a display drivingprocess AVDP. Moreover, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the overall detectiondriving process for the entire surface of the touch detection region At(see FIG. 5) as a detection driving process AVTP.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams schematically showing partial displayregions that are successively selected in each of a plurality of displayoperating periods. FIGS. 13A and 13B, FIG. 13A shows a state in whichthe first display block, that is, a partial display region Adp1 isselected, and FIG. 13B shows a state in which the second display block,that is, a partial display region Adp2 is selected.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams schematically showing partial detectionregions that are successively selected in each of a plurality ofdetection operation periods. In FIGS. 14A and 14B, FIG. 14A shows astate in which the first detection block, that is, a partial detectionregion Atp1 is selected, and FIG. 14B shows a state in which the seconddetection block, that is, a partial detection region Atp2 is selected.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, for convenience of explanation, thenumber of the partial display regions Adp is set to twelve, and thenumber of the partial detection regions Atp is set to two. However, thenumbers are not limited to the above-described numbers as long as thenumber of the partial detection regions Atp is smaller than the numberof the partial display regions Adp. Therefore, as shown in, for example,FIG. 13, the number of the partial display regions Adp can be set to alarger number than twelve, and the number of the partial detectionregions Atp can be set to a number is larger than two but smaller thanthe number of the partial display regions Adp.

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C are timing waveform diagrams showing varioussignals during the touch detection operating period. FIG. 15A shows awaveform of the touch detection driving signal Vcomt, FIG. 15B shows awaveform of the detection signal Vdet, and FIG. 15C shows a waveform ofan active shield driving signal Vas to be explained in the secondembodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing one example of operationsduring a plurality of display operating periods and a plurality of touchdetection operating periods contained in one frame period. FIG. 16 is adiagram showing an example similar to the example shown in FIG. 11 so asto partially enlarge the example. As described above, for convenience ofexplanation, the example shown in FIG. 11 has been described so that thenumber of the partial display regions Adp is set to twelve and thenumber of the partial detection regions Atp is set to two. On the otherhand, FIG. 16 shows partially an example in which the number of thepartial display regions Adp is set to at least 19 or larger and thenumber of the partial detection regions Atp is set to at least four orlarger.

Note that the following is an explanation in a case in which the displaydriving signal Vcomd is supplied to the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 among the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 andthe plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 during the displayoperating period Pd. However, even in a case in which the displaydriving signal Vcomd is supplied to the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2during the display operating period Pd, it is only required to supplythe display driving signal Vcomd to all the driving electrodes COML2 in,for example, each of the display operating periods Pd, and the otherpoints can be set to the same as those in the following case.

Note that the display driving signal Vcomd may be always supplied to allthe plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 during the displayoperating period Pd. Even in such a case, during the display operatingperiod Pd, the display driving signal Vcomd is supplied to the drivingelectrodes COML1 disposed on at least the selected partial displayregions Adp.

As shown in FIG. 11, one frame period 1F includes a plurality of displayoperating periods Pd and a plurality of touch detection operatingperiods Pt that are repeated alternately.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 13, the display region Ad is divided into aplurality of partial display regions Adp. That is, the display region Adincludes the plurality of the partial display regions Adp. Moreover, ineach of the plurality of the partial display regions Adp, any one ormore of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 is disposed.Furthermore, any one or more of the plurality of the scanning lines GCLis disposed in each of the plurality of the partial display regions Adp,and a pixel electrode 22 of the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22which is connected to the scanning line GCL disposed in the partialdisplay region Adp through the TFT element Tr (see FIG. 9) is disposed.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 14, the touch detection region At is dividedinto a plurality of partial detection regions Atp. That is, the touchdetection region At includes the plurality of the partial detectionregions Atp. Furthermore, in each of the plurality of the partialdetection regions Atp, any one or more of the plurality of the drivingelectrodes DRVL is disposed.

As shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 13A and FIG. 16, the first display drivingprocess DP is performed during an initial section of the one frameperiod 1F, that is, a display operating period Pd1 which is the firstdisplay operating period Pd. In this first display driving process DP,the driving electrode driver 14 supplies the display driving signalVcomd (see FIG. 1) to the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1disposed on the initial, that is, first partial display region Adp1among the plurality of the partial display regions Adp included in thedisplay region Ad.

In the first display driving process DP, the gate driver 12 firstsupplies the scanning signal Vscan (see FIG. 1) to a scanning line GCLof a sub-pixel SPix on the first line included in the first partialdisplay region Adp1, and the source driver 13 supplies the pixel signalVpix (see FIG. 1) to each of the signal lines SGL. Thus, a displayingprocess is performed on the sub-pixels SPix on the first line as adriving process DD in one horizontal period 1H.

Next, the gate driver 12 supplies the scanning signal Vscan to ascanning line GCL of a sub-pixel SPix on the second line included in thefirst partial display region Adp1, and the source driver 13 supplies thepixel signal Vpix to each of the signal lines SGL. Thus, a displayingprocess is performed on the sub-pixel SPix on the second line as adriving process DD in one horizontal period 1H.

Thereafter, the scanning signal Vscan is supplied to a scanning line GCLof a sub-pixel SPix on each line, so that the operation of supplying thepixel signal Vpix to each of the signal lines SGL is repeated. The firstdisplay driving process DP is performed as described above to form anelectric field between each of the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML1 and each of the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22 disposed inthe partial display region Adp1 when seen in a plan view, so that animage is displayed on the partial display region Adp1.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, note that the first display drivingprocess DP includes two driving processes DD in the one horizontalperiod 1H.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 14A and FIG. 16, the first detectiondriving process TP is performed during an initial section of the oneframe period 1F, that is, a touch detection operation period Pt1 whichis the first touch detection operation period Pt. In the first detectiondriving process TP, the first detection driving process TP is performedso as to detect an electrostatic capacitance generated between each ofthe plurality of the detection electrodes TDL and each of the pluralityof the driving electrodes DRVL disposed on the initial, that is, firstpartial detection region Atp1 among the plurality of the partialdetection regions Atp included in the touch detection region At.

In the first detection driving process TP, the driving electrode driver14 supplies the touch detection driving signal Vcomt shown in FIG. 15Ato each of the plurality of the driving electrodes DRVL included in thepartial detection region Atp. The touch detection driving signal Vcomtsupplied to each of the plurality of the driving electrodes DRVL istransmitted to each of the plurality of the detection electrodes TDLthrough the electrostatic capacitance, and a detection signal Vdet shownin FIG. 15B is generated. In the A/D converting unit 43, at a samplingtiming is in synchronization with the touch detection driving signalVcomt, A/D conversion is performed for the output signal of the touchsensing signal amplifying unit 42 to which the detection signal Vdet hasbeen inputted. Thus, the touch detection unit 40 performs the firstdetection driving process TP for detecting an electrostatic capacitancegenerated between each of the plurality of the driving electrodes DRVLdisposed on the partial detection region Atp1 and each of the pluralityof the detection electrodes TDL.

Note that, in the example shown in FIG. 16, the touch detection drivingsignal Vcomt is simultaneously supplied to each of the plurality of thedriving electrodes DRVL disposed on the partial detection region Atp1,and therefore, the first detection driving process TP includes onedriving process DT.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 13B and FIG. 16, the second displaydriving process DP is performed during a display operating period Pd2which is the second display operating period Pd of the one frame period1F. In the second display driving process DP, the driving electrodedriver 14 supplies the display driving signal Vcomd to the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML1 disposed on the second partial displayregion Adp2 among the plurality of the partial display regions Adpincluded in the display region Ad. The specific second display drivingprocess DP can be set to the same process as the above-described firstdisplay driving process DP. The second display driving process DP isperformed as described above to form an electric field between each ofthe plurality of the pixel electrodes 22 and each of the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML1 that are disposed on the partial displayregion Adp2 when seen in a plan view, so that an image is displayed inthe partial display region Adp2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 14B and FIG. 16, the second detectiondriving process TP is performed during a touch detection operationperiod Pt2 which is the second touch detection operation period Pt ofthe one frame period 1F. In the second detection driving process TP, thedriving electrode driver 14 detects an electrostatic capacitancegenerated between each of the plurality of the detection electrodes TDLand each of the plurality of the driving electrodes DRVL disposed on thesecond partial detection region Atp2 among the plurality of the partialdetection regions Atp included in the touch detection region At. Thespecific second detection driving process TP can be set to the sameprocess as the above-described first detection driving process TP.

In this manner, the display driving process DP and the detection drivingprocess TP are repeated alternately. Moreover, in the last displayoperating period Pd of the one frame period 1F, an electric field isformed between each of the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22 and eachof the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 disposed on the lastpartial display region Adp among the plurality of the partial displayregions Adp included in the display region Ad, so that an image isdisplayed on the last partial display region Adp. Thus, the displaydriving process DP is performed one time for each of the plurality ofthe partial display regions Adp included in the display region Ad.

Thereafter, the scan driving unit 50 (see FIG. 1) repeats the displaydriving process DP and the detection driving process TP alternatelywhile successively cyclically changing the partial display region Adpselected from the plurality of the partial display regions Adp, andwhile successively cyclically changing the partial detection region Atpselected from the plurality of the partial detection regions Atp.

In the present first embodiment, the display region Ad is divided into aplural number “m” of partial display regions Adp, for example, twelvepartial display regions Adp, and the touch detection region At isdivided into a plural number “n” of partial detection regions Atp, forexample, two partial detection regions Atp, the number “n” being smallerthan the number “m”. Moreover, by alternately repeating the displaydriving process DP and the detection driving process TP, the touchdetection unit 40 detects the input position in the touch detectionregion At while the electrophoresis display device 20 displays an imageon the display region Ad. Therefore, the detection driving process TP isperformed one time or more even in each of the partial detection regionsAtp among the “n” partial detection regions Atp included in the touchdetection region At while the display driving process DP is performedone time for each of the “m” partial display regions Adp included in thedisplay region Ad. That is, while the display driving process AVDP isperformed one time, the detection driving process AVTP is performed onetime or more.

More preferably, the number m of divisions of the display region Ad intothe partial display regions Adp is set to twice or larger than thenumber n of divisions of the touch detection region At into the partialdetection regions Atp. In such a case, while the display driving processDP is performed one time for each of the m partial display regions Adpincluded in the display region Ad, the detection driving process TP isperformed two times or more for each of the partial detection regionsAtp among the n partial detection regions Atp included in the touchdetection region At. That is, while the display driving process AVDP isperformed one time, the detection driving process AVTP is performed twotimes or more.

A period of time required for rewriting the display of the displayapparatus provided with the electrophoresis layer, that is, a period oftime required for transferring the electrophoresis particles from oneside to the other side in a microcapsule, is longer than, for example, aperiod of time required for rewriting the display of the liquid crystaldisplay apparatus, that is, a period of time required for rotating theliquid crystal molecule. That is, a speed of rewriting the display ofthe display apparatus provided with the electrophoresis layer is slowerthan, for example, a speed for rewriting the display of the liquidcrystal display apparatus.

For example, the speed, that is, a frequency for rewriting the displayof the liquid crystal display apparatus is about 60 Hz. Moreover, theone frame period that is a cycle in which the display of the liquidcrystal display apparatus is rewritten, that is, a period of timerequired for performing the display driving process one time in each ofthe plurality of the partial display regions included in the displayregion in the liquid crystal display apparatus is about 1/60 seconds,that is, about 16.7 msec.

On the other hand, the speed, that is, a frequency for rewriting thedisplay of the display apparatus provided with the electrophoresis layeris about 20 Hz. Moreover, the one frame period 1F that is a cycle inwhich the display of the display apparatus provided with theelectrophoresis layer is rewritten, that is, a period of time requiredfor performing the display driving process DP one time in each of theplurality of the partial display regions Adp included in the displayregion Ad in the display apparatus provided with the electrophoresislayer is about 1/20 seconds, that is, about 50 msec.

However, from the viewpoint of ensuring a response performance of thetouch detection, it is desired that the display apparatus provided withthe electrophoresis layer and the liquid display apparatus aresubstantially the same as each other in the period of time required forperforming the detection driving process one time in each of theplurality of the partial display regions included in the touch detectionregion At. For this reason, in the display apparatus provided with theelectrophoresis layer, the speed, that is, the frequency required forrepeating the touch detection is set to about 120 Hz as the same as thatof the display apparatus including the liquid crystal display apparatus.Moreover, in the display apparatus provided with the electrophoresislayer, the period of time required for performing the detection drivingprocess TP one time in each of the plurality of the partial detectionregions Atp included in the touch detection region At is set to 1/120seconds, that is, about 8.3 msec.

Therefore, a ratio of a frequency at for repeating the touch detectionwith respect to a frequency for rewriting the display in the displayapparatus provided with the electrophoresis layer becomes extremelylarger than a ratio of a frequency for repeating the touch detectionwith respect to a frequency for rewriting the display in the liquidcrystal display apparatus. In other words, a ratio of a cycle forrewriting the display with respect to a cycle for repeating the touchdetection in the display apparatus provided with the electrophoresislayer becomes extremely larger than a ratio of a cycle for rewriting thedisplay with respect to a cycle for repeating the touch detection in theliquid crystal apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing operations in one frameperiod of a display apparatus according to a comparative example.

In the comparative example shown in FIG. 17, during a period forperforming the display driving process AVDP, the detection drivingprocess AVTP is not performed. That is, during the period in which thedisplay driving process DP (see FIG. 11) is performed one time in eachof the plurality of the partial display regions Adp included in thedisplay region Ad, the detection driving process TP (see FIG. 11) is notperformed in each of the partial detection regions Atp of the pluralityof the partial detection regions Atp included in the touch detectionregion At.

For this reason, since no touch detection data is acquired during theperiod in which the display driving process DP is performed one time ineach of the plurality of the partial display regions Adp included in thedisplay region Ad, it is difficult to improve the response performanceof the touch detection. As described above, in the display apparatusprovided with the electrophoresis layer that has a slower speed forrewriting the display and a larger ratio of the frequency for repeatingthe touch detection with respect to the frequency for rewriting thedisplay than the liquid crystal display apparatus, it becomes moredifficult to improve the response performance of the touch detectionthan the liquid crystal display apparatus.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 17, a case in which the detection drivingprocess AVTP is executed two times before the start of the seconddisplay driving process AVDP after the first display driving processAVDP will be considered. That is, a case in which the detection drivingprocess TP (see FIG. 11) is performed two times in each of the partialdetection regions Atp of the plurality of the partial detection regionsAtp included in the touch detection region At after the display drivingprocess DP (see FIG. 11) in the last partial display region Adp of theplurality of the partial display regions Adp included in the displayregion Ad but before the start of the display driving process DP againin the first partial display region Adp will be considered.

In this case, since timings at which the detection process is performedin a certain partial detection region Atp are not arranged with equalintervals, it becomes difficult to improve the response performance ofthe touch detection. As described above, the display apparatus providedwith the electrophoresis layer that has a larger ratio of the frequencyfor repeating the touch detection with respect to the frequency forrewriting the display is more difficult to improve the responseperformance of the touch detection than the liquid crystal displayapparatus.

On the other hand, in the present first embodiment, the detectiondriving process AVTP is performed one time or more while the displaydriving process AVDP is performed one time. That is, while the displayprocess is performed one time in each of the plurality of the partialdisplay regions Adp included in the display region Ad, the detectionprocess is performed one time or more in each of the partial detectionregions Atp of the plurality of the partial detection regions Atpincluded in the touch detection region At.

Thus, since the touch detection data can also be acquired during theperiod in which the display driving process DP is performed one time ineach of the plurality of the partial display regions Adp included in thedisplay region Ad, the response performance of the touch detection canbe improved. Moreover, since timings at which the detection process isperformed in a certain partial detection region Atp are arranged withequal intervals, the response performance of the touch detection can beimproved. For this reason, even in the display apparatus including theelectrophoresis display device 20 that has a larger ratio of thefrequency for repeating the touch detection with respect to thefrequency for rewriting the display, the response performance of thetouch detection can be improved as similar to the liquid crystal displayapparatus that has a smaller ratio of the frequency for repeating thetouch detection with respect to the frequency for rewriting the display.

The display apparatus 1 including the electrophoresis display device 20can maintain the displayed image even during a period in which neitherthe display driving signal Vcomd is supplied to the driving electrodesCOML1 nor the pixel signal Vpix is supplied to the pixel electrodes 22,that is, during the touch detection operation period Pt. Therefore, inthe present first embodiment, the displayed image can be maintainedwhile the ratio of the frequency for repeating the touch detection withrespect to the frequency for rewriting the display is larger than thatof the liquid display device.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are diagrams schematically showing another example ofoperations in the plurality of the display operating periods and theplurality of the touch detection operating periods included in the oneframe period of the display apparatus. As similar to FIG. 16, FIG. 18and FIG. 19 partially show an example in which the number of the partialdisplay regions Adp is set to at least 19 or larger, and the number ofthe partial detection regions Atp is set to at least 4 or larger.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, the length of one touch detectionoperation period Pt, that is, a period of time required for performingone detection driving process TP, is shorter than the length of onedisplay operating period Pd, that is, a period of time required forperforming one display driving process DP. On the other hand, in theexample shown in FIG. 18, the length of one touch detection operationperiod Pt, that is, a period of time required for performing onedetection driving process TP, is longer than the length of one displayoperating period Pd, that is, a period of time required for performingone display driving process DP. That is, in the example shown in FIG.18, the length of one touch detection operation period Pt is also madelong while by shortening the length of one horizontal period 1H so thatthe length of one horizontal period 1H is substantially equal to thelength of one horizontal period 1H in a liquid crystal device whichperforms the rewriting at a frequency of, for example, 60 Hz.

Thus, since the number of samplings for the touch detection in thedetection driving process TP can be increased, a ratio of signalintensity with respect to noise intensity, that is, an SN ratio can beincreased. Alternatively, since one sampling time for the touchdetection in the detection driving process TP can be made longer, thearea of one partial detection region Atp can be easily increased, sothat an area of the display apparatus can be easily increased.

Moreover, in an example shown in FIG. 19, one partial detection regionAtp is further divided into a plurality of partial detection regionsAtpp, and the detection processes are successively performed while thelength of one touch detection operation period Pt, that is, a period oftime required for performing one detection process is made longer thanthe length of one display operating period Pd, that is, a period of timerequired for performing one display process as shown in FIG. 18.

That is, in the example of FIG. 19, each of the plurality of the partialdetection regions Atp is divided into a plurality of partial detectionregions Atpp. In other words, each of the plurality of the partialdetection regions Atp includes the plurality of the partial detectionregions Atpp. At this time, on each of the plurality of the partialdetection regions Atpp, any one or more one of the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 disposed on each of the plurality of thepartial detection regions Atp is disposed. Moreover, the scan drivingunit 50 performs a driving process DT for supplying the touch detectiondriving signal Vcomt to the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1disposed on one partial detection region Atpp successively selected fromthe plurality of the partial detection regions Atpp, among the pluralityof the driving electrodes COML1 disposed on the selected partialdetection region Atp in one detection driving process TP, the drivingprocess DT being repeated the number of times which is equal to thenumber of divided pieces in dividing the partial detection region Atpinto the partial detection regions Atpp. Thus, the positional accuracyof the touch detection can be improved.

<Driving Method with Gray Level Control>

A driving method with gray level control in the display apparatus 1according to the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 20 is a timing waveform diagram showing gray levels and pixelsignals over a plurality of the one frame periods in controlling thegray level of each pixel. FIGS. 21A to 21C are diagrams schematicallyshowing examples of control of the gray level in four sub-pixelsadjacent to one another in controlling the gray level of each pixel.FIG. 21A shows a gray level in each sub-pixel obtained before therewriting of a certain image, FIG. 21B shows a pattern of a pulsesequence to be used in rewriting the image, and FIG. 21C shows the graylevel in each sub-pixel obtained after the rewriting of the image. FIG.22 is a diagram schematically showing one example of operations during aplurality of display operating periods and a plurality of detectionoperation periods included in the one frame period in controlling thegray level of each pixel.

On each of the plurality of the partial display regions Adp, any one ormore of the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22 is disposed. At thistime, as shown in FIG. 20, the source driver 13 included in the scandriving unit 50 supplies a pixel signal Vpix having a voltage V andformed of a pulse sequence to the pixel electrodes 22 formed inside eachsub-pixel SPix, so that the gray level in each sub-pixel SPix can becontrolled. The pulse sequence includes a plurality of pulses eachhaving a positive pulse height (voltage+Vs) or a negative pulse height(voltage−Vs). A period of time while a certain-order pulse of theplurality of the pulses is applied one time to each of a plural numberof the pixel electrodes 22 disposed on each of the plurality of thepartial display regions Adp included in the display region Ad amonganother plural number of the pixel electrodes 22 corresponds to the oneframe period 1F.

Here, as shown in FIG. 21, an example in which the gray level that canbe set in each of the sub-pixels is made of any one or more of levelsWW, WB, BW and BB, that is, in which the total number of the gray levelsis four will be exemplified, and the number of patterns of the pulsesequence for use in rewriting an image in a case of this example will bedescribed. The levels WW, WB, BW and BB are four gray levels that areset so as to successively come close from white to black between thelevel WW close to white color to the level BB close to black color. FIG.20 exemplifies a configuration in which an image is rewritten so as tochange the gray level Lv in a certain sub-pixel from the level WW to thelevel WB. Moreover, the pulse sequence shown in FIG. 20 corresponds to apattern wwPwb to be described later with reference to FIG. 21.

When the total number of the gray levels is four, as shown in FIG. 21A,the gray level of a certain sub-pixel obtained before the rewriting ofthe image is any one the four gray levels of level WW, WB, BW and BB.Moreover, as shown in FIG. 21C, the gray level of the sub-pixel obtainedafter the rewriting of the image is set to any one of the four graylevels of WW, WB, BW and BB.

First, a case in which the gray level in a certain sub-pixel obtainedbefore the rewriting of the image is set to the level WW will beconsidered. In this case, as shown in FIG. 21B, when the gray level inthe sub-pixel is not changed from the level WW before and after therewriting process, a pulse sequence formed of a pattern wwPww isutilized. Alternatively, when the gray level in the sub-pixel is changedfrom the level WW to the level WB before and after the rewritingprocess, a pulse sequence formed of a pattern wwPwb is utilized. On theother hand, when the gray level in the sub-pixel is changed from thelevel WW to the level BW before and after the rewriting process, a pulsesequence formed of a pattern wwPbw is utilized. Alternatively, when thegray level in the sub-pixel is changed from the level WW to the level BBbefore and after the rewriting process, a pulse sequence formed of apattern wwPbb is utilized.

Therefore, when an image is rewritten so as to change the gray level ofa certain sub-pixel from the level WW to any one of the four gray levelsof WW, WB, BW and BB before and after the rewriting process, any one ofthe four patterns formed of the patterns wwPww, wwPwb, wwPbw and wwPbbare used as the pattern of the pulse sequence.

Similarly, even in the case of the gray level of a certain sub-pixel tobe the level WB, BW or BB, when an image is rewritten so as to changethe gray level from the gray level to any one of the four gray levels ofWW, WB, BW and BB before and after the rewriting process, four patterntypes are used as the pattern of the pulse sequence. Therefore, when thetotal number of the gray levels is four, the number of patterns of thepulse sequence to be used for rewriting the image is “4×4=16”. In thiscase, patterns of 16 types can be set by combining four or more pulses,for example, five pulses as the plurality of pulses to form the pulsesequence.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 22, an image to be displayed on thedisplay region Ad is rewritten by repeating a repeat process a pluralityof times while changing the pixel signal Vpix, the repeat processperforming the display process one time in each of the plurality of thepartial display regions Adp while repeating the display driving processDP and the detection driving process TP alternately m times. Thus, thegray level of each pixel can be controlled to a plurality of graylevels.

Note that a degree of the control of the gray level has a temperaturedependency sometimes depending on a type of the electrophoresis layer 5.At this time, in accordance with the use temperature of the displayapparatus, it is desired to change the pulse sequence for controllingthe gray level of each pixel into a plurality of gray levels. For thisreason, more preferably, a temperature range in which the displayapparatus is used is divided into a plurality of temperature ranges, anda pulse sequence that is optimized in order to control the gray level ofeach pixel into a plurality of gray levels is set in each temperaturerange of the plurality of the temperature ranges. Then, the temperatureis measured by, for example, a temperature measuring unit provided inthe display apparatus, and a pulse sequence which is set in accordancewith the temperature range including the measured temperature isselected. Then, by using the selected pulse sequence, the gray level ofeach pixel is controlled to the plurality of the gray levels. Thus, evenin a wide temperature range, change of the gray level of the pixeldisplayed in the display region due to change of the use temperature isprevented or suppressed.

<First Modified Example of Display Device Having Touch DetectionFunction>

Next, with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24, the first modified example of adisplay device having a touch detection function will be described. Inthe present first modified example, the driving electrodes COML1 and thedriving electrodes COML2 are formed in different layers from each other.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the display device with thetouch detection function of the first modified example according to thefirst embodiment. FIG. 24 is a plan view schematically showing aconfiguration of driving electrodes and auxiliary electrodes in thefirst modified example according to the first embodiment. Moreover, FIG.23 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of FIG. 24.

In the present first modified example, the facing substrate 3 has thesubstrate 31 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1. Whenseen in a plan view, the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 areformed on the lower surface of the substrate 31 at the display region Ador the touch detection region At. The plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 can be set as the same as the example shown in FIG. 6and FIG. 8.

On the other hand, in the present first modified example, each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML2 is formed on a layer differentfrom that of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1. In thismanner, it is not required to form a connection portion CN2 of thedriving electrodes COML2 on a layer different from that of the electrodeportions CP2 in comparison with the example shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8,the driving electrodes COML2 can be formed easily.

Alternatively, the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 may beformed on the upper surface of the substrate 31, or may be formed on alower layer of a barrier film 64 formed on the lower surface of thesubstrate 61. In the example shown in FIG. 23, the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML2 are formed on the lower surface of the barrierfilm 64, and a protective film PF1 is formed on the lower surface of thebarrier film 64 so as to cover the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML2. Moreover, the protective film PF1 formed on the lower surface ofthe barrier film 64 is made in contact with the upper surface of thesubstrate 31 of the facing substrate 3.

Note that it is only required to form the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 ondifferent layers from each other. Therefore, both of the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML2 may be formed on the lower surface of the substrate 31.Alternatively, both of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 andthe plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 may be formed on the uppersurface of the substrate 31.

Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 is extended in theY-axis direction and is also arranged in the X-axis direction when seenin a plan view. Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2includes a plurality of electrode portions CP2 and a plurality ofconnection portions CN2. In the present first modified example, asdifferent from the example shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, each of theplurality of the electrode portions CP2 and each of the plurality of theconnection portions CN2 are formed on the lower surface of the barrierfilm 64, that is, on the upper surface of the substrate 31 at thedisplay region Ad or the touch detection region At. The plurality of theelectrode portions CP2 are aligned in the Y-axis direction when seen ina plan view. Moreover, the two electrode portions CP2 that are adjacentto each other in the Y-axis direction are electrically connected to eachother by the connection portion CN2.

In the present first modified example, the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 areformed on layers different from each other. For this reason, theconnection portions CN2 are formed on the same layer as the electrodeportions CP2.

As described above, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in theliquid crystal display device is set to, for example, about 3 μm.Moreover, the thickness of the electrophoresis layer 5 in theelectrophoresis display device 20, that is, the distance DST1 betweenthe lower surface of the driving electrode COML1 and the upper surfaceof the pixel electrode 22 is larger than the thickness of the liquidcrystal layer in the liquid crystal display device, and set to, about 30to 200 μm.

On the other hand, the thickness of the substrate 31 made of, forexample, a resin, is set to, for example, 20 to 40 μm. For this reason,even when the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 are formed onthe lower surface of the substrate 31 and the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML2 are formed on the upper surface of the substrate 31,the distance between the upper surface of the pixel electrode 22 and thelower surface of the driving electrode COML2 is not different so muchfrom the distance between the upper surface of the pixel electrode 22and the lower surface of the driving electrode COML1. Therefore, thesame display driving process as that in the case when the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML2 are formed on the same layer can be performed by such adjustmentthat, for example, the display driving signal Vcomd to be supplied toeach of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 is larger than thedisplay driving signal Vcomd to be respectively supplied to theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1.

In the present first modified example, the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 are operated as the driving electrodes for theelectrophoresis display device, and also operated as the drivingelectrodes DRVL for the touch detection device. Moreover, the pluralityof the driving electrodes COML2 are operated as the driving electrodesfor the electrophoresis display device, and also operated as thedetection electrodes TDL for the touch detection device.

Also in the present first modified example, a group of auxiliaryelectrodes AEG formed of a plurality of auxiliary electrodes AE1 may beformed as similar to the example shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8. Moreover,in performing the touch detection operation, a touch detection drivingsignal Vcomt formed of an alternate-current signal having the same phaseas that of the alternate-current signal contained in the touch detectiondriving signal Vcomt supplied to the driving electrodes DRVL formed ofthe driving electrodes COML1 may be supplied to the auxiliary electrodesAE1. Thus, a parasitic capacitance generated between the drivingelectrodes DRVL and each of wirings included in the array substrate 2can be eliminated, so that the sensitivity of the touch detection can beenhanced. However, the auxiliary electrodes AE1 may not be formed.

Other parts than that can be set as those of the example shown in FIG. 6and FIG. 8.

<Second Modified Example of Display Device Having Touch DetectionFunction>

Next, with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26, the second modified example ofa display device having a touch detection function will be described. Inthe present second modified example, the auxiliary electrodes AE1 areformed as the driving electrodes DRVL, and the driving electrodes COML1are formed as the detection electrodes TDL. That is, also in the presentsecond modified example, the group of the auxiliary electrodes AEGformed of the plurality of the auxiliary electrodes AE1 are formed assimilar to the example shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the display device with atouch detection function of the second modified example according to thefirst embodiment. FIG. 26 is a plan view schematically showingconfigurations of driving electrodes and auxiliary electrodes in thesecond modified example according to the first embodiment. Moreover,FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of FIG. 26.

In the present second modified example, the facing substrate 3 has thesubstrate 31, the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 and theplurality of the driving electrodes COML2.

As similar to the example shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 and the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML2 is made of a transparent conductive materialsuch as ITO and IZO. The plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 andthe plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 are formed on the lowersurface of the substrate 31 at the display region Ad or the touchdetection region At. Note that the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML1 or the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 may be formed onthe upper surface of the substrate 31. Moreover, the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML2 may be formed on layers different from each other. Alternatively,only the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 may be formed whilethe plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 may be not formed.

In the present second modified example, each of the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 is extended in the Y-axis direction and is alsoarranged in the X-axis direction when seen in a plan view. Moreover,each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 is extended in theY-axis direction and is also arranged in the X-axis direction when seenin a plan view. When seen in a plan view, one or a plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 among the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML1 and one or a plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 among theplurality of the driving electrodes COML2 are alternately disposed inthe X-axis direction.

Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 is connectedelectrically to the driving electrode driver 14 included in the scandriving unit 50 through routing wiring WR1. Meanwhile, each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML2 is connected electrically tothe driving electrode driver 14 included in the scan driving unit 50through the routing wiring WR1 and each of a plurality of switches SW1included in the switch unit SW. The switch unit SW formed of theplurality of switches SW1 switches between a state in which theplurality of the driving electrodes COML2 are electrically connected tothe driving electrode driver 14 and a state in which the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML2 are in a floating state.

In the present second modified example, the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 are operated as the driving electrodes for theelectrophoresis display device, and also operated as the detectionelectrodes TDL for the touch detection device. Meanwhile, in performingthe displaying operation, the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2are connected to the driving electrode driver 14 by the switch SW1, andare operated as the driving electrodes for the electrophoresis displaydevice. However, in performing the touch detection operation, theplurality of the driving electrodes COML2 are blocked from the drivingelectrode driver 14 by the switch SW1, so that they are not operated asthe detection electrodes TDL for the touch detection device 30 butbecome dummy electrodes TDD. Moreover, in the present second modifiedexample, the plurality of the auxiliary electrodes AE1 are operated asthe driving electrodes DRVL for the touch detection device.

That is, in the present second modified example, in performing thedisplaying operation, when a state of the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML2 is switched by the switch unit SW into the state inwhich they are electrically connected to the driving electrode driver14, the driving electrode driver 14 supplies the display driving signalVcomd to the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 and the pluralityof the driving electrodes COML2. Then, the electric field is formedbetween each of the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22 and each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 as well as each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML2, so that an image isdisplayed.

Meanwhile, in the present second modified example, in performing thetouch detection operation, when a state of the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML2 is switched by the switch unit SW into the state inwhich they are electrically in the floating state, the driving electrodedriver 14 supplies the touch detection driving signal Vcomt to theplurality of the auxiliary electrodes AE1. Moreover, in performing thetouch detection operation, when a state of the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML2 is switched by the switch unit SW into the state inwhich they are electrically in the floating state, the touch detectionunit 40 (see FIG. 1) detects the input position based on theelectrostatic capacitance generated between each of the plurality of theauxiliary electrodes AE1 and each of the plurality of the detectionelectrodes TDL.

When the thickness of the electrophoresis layer 5, that is, a distanceDST1 from the upper surface of the pixel electrode 22 to the lowersurface of the driving electrode COML1 is substantially equal to thethickness of the liquid crystal layer in the liquid crystal apparatussuch as about 3 an electrostatic capacitance generated between theauxiliary electrodes AE1 and the driving electrodes COML1 becomesextremely larger than a change in the electrostatic capacitance C2formed by a finger. For this reason, it is not possible to operate theauxiliary electrodes AE1 cannot be operated as the driving electrodesDRVL for the touch detection device, and the driving electrodes COML1cannot be operated as the detection electrodes TDL for the touchdetection device.

However, as described above, in the display apparatus provided with theelectrophoresis layer, the thickness of the electrophoresis layer 5,that is, the distance DST1 between the lower surface of the drivingelectrode COML1 and the upper surface of the pixel electrode 22 is setto, for example, about 30 to 200 which is extremely larger than that ofthe liquid crystal display device. For this reason, in the presentsecond modified example, the electrostatic capacitance between theauxiliary electrodes AE1 and the driving electrodes COML1 is not solarge in comparison with the change in the electrostatic capacitance C2formed by the finger. Therefore, the auxiliary electrodes AE1 can beoperated as the driving electrodes DRVL for the touch detection device,and the driving electrodes COML1 can be operated as the detectionelectrodes TDL for the touch detection device.

Moreover, in performing the touch detection operation, one or aplurality of the detection electrodes TDL among the plurality of thedetection electrodes TDL and one or a plurality of dummy electrodes TDDamong the plurality of the dummy electrodes TDD are alternately disposedin the X-axis direction when seen in a plan view. Thus, in performingthe touch detection operation, a parasitic capacitance generated betweenthe detection electrodes TDL and wirings or others located lower thanthe detection electrodes TDL can be reduced, so that the detectionsensitivity of the touch detection can be enhanced. Moreover, thedistribution of the electric field between the detection electrodes TDLand the driving electrodes DRVL can be easily adjusted, so that thedetection sensitivity of the touch detection can be enhanced.

Other parts than that can be set as the same as those of the exampleshown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8.

<Third Modified Example of Display Device Having Touch DetectionFunction>

Next, with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28, the third modified example of adisplay device having a touch detection function will be described. Inthe present third modified example, the line width of the drivingelectrode COML1 is made narrower than the line width of the drivingelectrode COML1 of the second modified example according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing the display device with atouch detection function of the third modified example in accordancewith the first embodiment. FIG. 28 is a plan view schematically showingconfigurations of driving electrodes and auxiliary electrodes in thethird modified example according to the first embodiment. Moreover, FIG.27 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of FIG. 28.

In the present third modified example, the facing substrate 3 has thesubstrate 31 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1. Theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 are formed on the lowersurface of the substrate 31 at the display region Ad or the touchdetection region At when seen in a plan view. Note that the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML1 may be formed on the upper surface of thesubstrate 31.

In the present third modified example, each of the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 is extended in the Y-axis direction and is alsoarranged in the X-axis direction when seen in a plan view. Each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 may have a mesh shape formedof a plurality of conductor lines when seen in a plan view. In theexample shown in FIG. 28, each of the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 has two conductor lines ML1 and two conductor linesML2. The two conductor lines ML1 and the two conductor lines ML2 arebent alternately in reversed directions from each other when seen in aplan view so as to form a zig-zag shape that is extended in the Y-axisdirection as a whole. Moreover, the respective reversely-bent parts ofthe conductor line ML1 and the conductor line ML2 which are adjacentwith each other in the X-axis direction are connected to each other.Alternatively, each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 mayhave only a plurality of conductor lines ML1 each having a zig-zag shapewithout forming the two conductor lines ML2.

Alternatively, in another view point, each of the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 has a plurality of conductor lines ML3 and aplurality of conductor lines ML4. The plurality of the conductor linesML3 are extended in a direction that is different from both of theX-axis direction and the Y-axis direction when seen in a plan view, andarranged while being spaced from each other. Each of the plurality ofthe conductor lines ML4 is extended in a direction that is differentfrom all of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction and the extendingdirection of the conductor lines ML3 when seen in a plan view, andarranged while being spaced from each other. The plurality of theconductor lines ML3 and the plurality of the conductor lines ML4intersect with each other. Moreover, the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 form a mesh shape formed of the plurality of theconductor lines ML3 and the plurality of the conductor lines ML4 thatintersect with each other.

As different from the example shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the conductorlines ML1 and the conductor lines ML2 or the conductor lines ML3 and theconductor lines ML4, which are included in each of the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 in the present third modified example, containa metal layer or alloy layer. For this reason, the resistivity of eachof the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 in the present thirdmodified example can be made smaller than the resistivity of each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 in the second modified exampleof the first embodiment. Therefore, the line width of the conductor lineML3 in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of theconductor line ML3 that is included in each of the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 in the present third modified example can bemade narrower than the width between the facing side surfaces of the twoconductor lines ML3 that are adjacent with each other in a directionintersecting with the extending direction of the conductor lines ML3. Inother words, the area ratio of the driving electrodes COML1 at the touchdetection area At can be set to 50% or less.

As described above, the thickness of the electrophoresis layer 5, thatis, the distance DST1 between the lower surface of the driving electrodeCOML1 and the upper surface of the pixel electrode 22 is set to, forexample, about 30 to 200 μm, which is extremely larger than that of theliquid crystal display device. For this reason, even in the case of thenarrow line width of the driving electrodes COML1, as shown in FIG. 27,a distance DST2 between the peripheral portion of the pixel electrode 22in the X-axis direction and the pixel electrode 22 is substantiallyequal to a distance DST1 between the center portion of the pixelelectrode 22 in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 28) and the pixelelectrode 22. Therefore, even in the case of the narrow line width ofthe driving electrode COML1, in performing the displaying operation, thedriving electrodes COML1 can be operated as the driving electrodes forthe electrophoresis display device.

In the present third modified example, the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 are operated as the driving electrodes for theelectrophoresis display device, and also operated as the detectionelectrodes TDL for the touch detection device. Moreover, also in thepresent third modified example, the plurality of the auxiliaryelectrodes AE1 are operated as the driving electrodes DRVL for the touchdetection device as similar to the second modified example of the firstembodiment.

In the second modified example of the first embodiment, each of theplurality of the dummy electrodes TDD is disposed above each of theauxiliary electrodes AE1 at a portion located between two detectionelectrodes TDL which are adjacent to each other in the X-axis directionwhen seen in a plan view. At this time, each of the plurality of thedummy electrodes TDD is disposed so as to bridge over the plurality ofthe driving electrodes DRVL arranged in the Y-axis direction when seenin a plan view. Therefore, the electric field generated by the supply ofthe touch detection driving signal Vcomt to the driving electrodes DRVLis difficult to go round to be upper than the detection electrodes TDL.

Meanwhile, in the present third modified example, no dummy electrodesare formed, so that the line width of each of the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 is narrower than the line width of each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 in the second modified exampleof the first embodiment. Thus, an electric field EF1 generated by thesupply of the touch detection driving signal Vcomt to the drivingelectrodes DRVL formed of the auxiliary electrodes AE1 is easy to goround to be upper than the detection electrodes TDL formed of thedriving electrodes COML1, so that the detection sensitivity of the touchdetection can be increased to be higher than that of the second modifiedexample of the first embodiment.

As described above, preferably, the line width of the conductor line ML3in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of theconductor line ML3 included in each of the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 is made narrower than the width between the facing sidesurfaces of the two conductor lines ML3 which are adjacent to each otherin the direction intersecting with the extending direction of theconductor line ML3. Thus, the electric field EF1 generated by the supplyof the touch detection driving signal Vcomt to the driving electrodesDRVL formed of the auxiliary electrodes AE1 is easy to go round to befurther higher than the detection electrodes TDL formed of the drivingelectrodes COML1, so that the detection sensitivity of the touchdetection can be further enhanced than that of the second modifiedexample of the first embodiment.

Other parts than that can be set to those of the example shown in FIG. 6and FIG. 8.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the explanations have been made about theexample in which the display apparatus provided with the electrophoresisdisplay device has the touch detection device serving as the inputdevice of the mutual capacitance system provided with the drivingelectrodes and the detection electrodes. On the other hand, in thesecond embodiment, explanations will be made about an example in which adisplay apparatus provided with an electrophoresis display device has atouch detection device of a self-capacitance system provided with onlythe detection electrodes. Note that the display apparatus of the secondembodiment is also obtained by applying the display apparatus providedwith a touch panel serving as an input device to a display apparatushaving a touch detection function of an in-cell type as similar to thedisplay apparatus of the first embodiment.

<Overall Configuration>

First, with reference to FIG. 29, an overall configuration of a displayapparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 29is a block diagram showing one structural example of the displayapparatus of the second embodiment.

A display apparatus 1 a of the second embodiment is provided with adisplay device 10 a having a touch detection function, a control unit11, a gate driver 12, a source driver 13, a driving electrode driver 14and a touch detection unit 40 a. In the present second embodiment, asdifferent from the first embodiment, a scan driving unit 50 is formed ofa touch driving and touch sensing signal amplifying unit 42 a inaddition to the source driver 13 and the driving electrode driver 14.

The display device 10 having a touch detection function has a displaydevice 20 and a touch detection device 30 a. each unit other than thetouch detection device 30 a and the touch detection unit 40 a of thedisplay device 10 a having the touch detection function in the displayapparatus 1 a of the present second embodiment are set as the same aseach unit other than the facing substrate 3 in the display apparatus ofthe first embodiment, and therefore, the description of each unit willbe omitted.

Note that the driving electrode driver 14 included in the scan drivingunit 50 is a circuit which supplies a display driving signal Vcomd inperforming the displaying operation to driving electrodes COML1 anddriving electrodes COML2 (see FIG. 32 or FIG. 33 to be described later)included in the display device 10 a having the touch detection function,based on the control signal supplied from the control unit 11. Moreover,in performing the touch detection operation, the driving electrodedriver 14 may supply an active shield driving signal Vas formed of analternate-current signal having the same phase as that of thealternate-current signal contained in the touch detection driving signalVcomt to the auxiliary electrodes AE1 (see FIG. 32 and FIG. 33 to bedescribed later) included in the display device 10 a having the touchdetection function as shown in FIG. 15C.

In the present second embodiment, the touch detection unit 40 a suppliesa touch detection driving signal Vtd to the touch detection device 30 abased on a control signal supplied from the control unit 11. Moreover,based on the control signal supplied from the control unit 11 and adetection signal Vdet supplied from the touch detection device 30 a ofthe display device 10 a having the touch detection function, the touchdetection unit 40 a detects existence or nonexistence of the touching bythe finger or the input tool such as the touch pen onto the touchdetection device 30 a, that is, existence or nonexistence of the touchedstate or the coming-close state to be described later.

In the present second embodiment, the touch detection unit 40 a isprovided with a touch driving and sensing signal amplifying unit 42 a,an A/D converting unit 43, a signal processing unit 44, a coordinateextracting unit 45 and a sensing timing control unit 46. In the touchdetection unit 40 a of the present second embodiment, the A/D convertingunit 43, the signal processing unit 44 and the coordinate extractingunit 45 are can be set as the same as those units in the touch detectionunit 40 of the first embodiment.

As described above, the touch driving and sensing signal amplifying unit42 a supplies a touch detection driving signal Vtd to the touchdetection device 30 a based on a control signal supplied from thecontrol unit 11. Then, the touch driving and sensing signal amplifyingunit 42 a amplifies a detection signal Vdet supplied from the touchdetection device 30 a.

<Principle of Self-Capacitance-Type Touch Detection>

Next, with reference to FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, a principle of a touchdetection in a touch detection device of a self-capacitance system willbe described. FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 are explanatory diagrams showing anelectrical connection state of detection electrodes in theself-capacitance system.

In the touch detection device in the self-capacitance system, first, thetouch driving and sensing signal amplifying unit 42 a supplies the touchdetection driving signal Vtd to the touch detection device 30 a (seeFIG. 29). At this time, a detection electrode TDL having anelectrostatic capacitance Cx as shown in FIG. 30 is separated from adetection circuit SC1 having an electrostatic capacitance Cr1, andelectrically connected to a power supply Vdd, so that a charge amount Q1is stored in the detection electrode TDL having the electrostaticcapacitance Cx.

Next, as shown in FIG. 31, when the detection electrode TDL having theelectrostatic capacitance Cx is separated from the power supply Vdd andelectrically connected to the detection circuit SC1 having theelectrostatic capacitance Cr1, a charge amount Q2 flowing into thedetection circuit SC1 is detected. Thus, the detection signal Vdet issupplied from the touch detection device 30 a to the touch driving andsensing signal amplifying unit 42 a (see FIG. 29).

Here, when a finger is made in contact with, or comes close to thedetection electrode TDL, the electrostatic capacitance Cx of thedetection electrode TDL is changed due to the capacitance of the finger,and the charge amount Q2 flowing into the detection circuit SC1 is alsochanged with the result that when the detection electrode TDL isconnected to the detection circuit SC1. Therefore, by detecting thechange in the electrostatic capacitance Cx of the detection electrodeTDL by measuring the flowing-out charge amount Q2 by the detectioncircuit SC1, it can be determine whether or not the finger is made incontact with or comes close to the detection electrode TDL.

<Module>

The module in the display apparatus of the present second embodimentssubstantially the same module as the module of the display apparatus ofthe first embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof will beomitted.

<Display Device Having Touch Detection Function>

Next, with reference to FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, a display device having atouch detection function will be described.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of a configurationof a display device having a touch detection function of the displayapparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 33 is a plan viewschematically showing one example of configurations of drivingelectrodes and auxiliary electrodes in the display apparatus of thesecond embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view takenalong a line A-A of FIG. 33.

The display device 10 a having the touch detection function has thearray substrate 2, the facing substrate 3, an electrophoresis layer 5, aprotective substrate 6 and a sealing portion 7. The facing substrate 3has a facing configuration in which an upper surface serving as a mainsurface of the array substrate 2 and a lower surface serving as a mainsurface of the facing substrate 3 are faced to each other. Theelectrophoresis layer 5 is formed between the array substrate 2 and thefacing substrate 3. That is, the electrophoresis layer 5 is sandwichedbetween the upper surface of the substrate 21 and the lower surface ofthe substrate 31.

The fact that the array substrate 2 has the substrate 21 and that thefacing substrate 3 has the substrate 31, and the fact that the uppersurface of the substrate 21 includes the display region Ad which is apart of the upper surface and that the upper surface of the substrate 31includes the touch detection region At which is a part of the uppersurface are set as the same as those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 32, the array substrate 2 has the substrate 21, aninsulating film 23 and a plurality of pixel electrodes 22. As similar tothe explanations made with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 in the firstembodiment, in the display region Ad, the substrate 21 is provided witha plurality of scanning lines GCL, a plurality of signal lines SGL and aplurality of TFT elements Tr. Moreover, in the present secondembodiment, the substrate 21, the insulating film 23 and the pluralityof the pixel electrodes 22 are configured as the same as those in thefirst embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, the auxiliary electrode AE1 is formedon the upper surface of the substrate 21. The auxiliary electrode AE1 isformed on the same layer as the scanning lines GCL and the gateelectrodes 23 a (see FIG. 7) on the upper surface of the substrate 21 atthe display region Ad or the touch detection region At when seen in aplan view.

More preferably, in performing the touch detection operation, theauxiliary electrode AE1 is electrically connected to the drivingelectrode driver 14 (see FIG. 29). Moreover, in performing the touchdetection operation, to the auxiliary electrode AE1, the drivingelectrode driver 14 supplies an active shield driving signal Vas formedof an alternate-current signal having the same phase as that of thealternate-current signal contained in the touch detection driving signalVtd supplied to the detection electrode TDL formed of the drivingelectrodes COML1 by the touch driving and sensing signal amplifying unit42 a. Thus, a parasitic capacitance generated between the detectionelectrode TDL formed of the driving electrode COML1 and each of wiringsformed on the array substrate 2 can be removed, so that the sensitivityof the touch detection can be improved.

Note that the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 may beelectrically connected to the auxiliary electrode AE1 through theconductive portion 71 formed inside the sealing portion 7.

As shown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, the facing substrate 3 has thesubstrate 31, the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 and theplurality of the driving electrodes COML2. The substrate 31, theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 and the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML2 in the present second embodiment can be set asthe same as those of the first embodiment. That is, the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML2 are formed on the lower surface of the substrate 31 at the displayregion Ad or the touch detection region At when seen in a plan view.Note that the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 or the pluralityof the driving electrodes COML2 may be formed on the upper surface ofthe substrate 31.

Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 is extended in theX-axis direction and is also arranged in the Y-axis direction when seenin a plan view. Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1includes a plurality of electrode portions CP1 and a plurality ofconnection portions CN1. Each of the plurality of the electrode portionsCP1 and each of the plurality of the connection portions CN1 are formedon the lower surface of the substrate 31 at the display region Ad or thetouch detection region At. The plurality of the electrode portions CP1are arranged in the X-axis direction when seen in a plan view. The twoelectrode portions CP1 that are adjacent to each other in the X-axisdirection are electrically connected to each other by the connectionportion CN1.

Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 is extended in theY-axis direction and is also arranged in the X-axis direction when seenin a plan view. Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2includes a plurality of electrode portions CP2 and a plurality ofconnection portions CN2. Each of the plurality of the electrode portionsCP2 is formed on the lower surface of the substrate 31 at the displayregion Ad or the touch detection region At. The plurality of theelectrode portions CP2 are arranged in the Y-axis direction when seen ina plan view. Moreover, the two electrode portions CP2 that are adjacentto each other in the Y-axis direction are electrically connected to eachother by the connection portion CN2.

In the example as shown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML2 are formed on the same layer. For this reason, the connectionportions CN2 are formed on a layer different from that of the electrodeportions CP2 so as to bridge over each of the connection portions CN1through an insulating film not shown.

Moreover, the electrophoresis layer 5, the protective substrate 6 andthe sealing portion 7 of the present second embodiment can be set as thesame as those of the first embodiment.

Also in the present second embodiment, as similar to the explanationsmade with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9 in the first embodiment, theelectrophoresis display device 20 has a plurality of scanning lines GCL,a plurality of signal lines SGL, a plurality of TFT elements Tr, aplurality of pixel electrodes 22, a plurality of driving electrodesCOML1, a plurality of driving electrodes COML2 and a plurality ofelectrophoresis elements EP.

Moreover, the display driving signal Vcomd (see FIG. 29) is supplied bythe driving electrode driver 14 to one or the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 disposed in the selected partial display region Adp(see FIG. 13), and the pixel signal Vpix (see FIG. 29) is supplied bythe source driver 13 to the pixel electrode 22 included in each of thesub-pixels SPix belonging to the selected one horizontal line. Thus, anelectric field is formed between each of the plurality of the pixelelectrodes 22 and each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1in the selected partial display region Adp, so that an image isdisplayed on each horizontal line in the selected partial display regionAdp.

On the other hand, the touch detection device 30 a (see FIG. 29)according to the present second embodiment is a touch detection deviceof a self-capacitance system. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 32and FIG. 33, as different from the first embodiment, the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML1 are operated as the driving electrodes forthe electrophoresis display device, and also operated as the detectionelectrodes TDL for the touch detection device. Moreover, the pluralityof the driving electrodes COML2 are operated as the driving electrodesfor the electrophoresis display device, and also operated as thedetection electrodes TDL for the touch detection device. That is, in thepresent second embodiment, in performing the touch detection operation,both of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 and the pluralityof the driving electrodes COM2 are operated as not the drivingelectrodes DRVL (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 8) but the detection electrodesTDL.

As described above by using FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, in the present secondembodiment, a charge amount is stored in the detection electrode TDL bythe supply of the touch detection driving signal Vtd to the touchdetection device 30 a by the touch driving and sensing signal amplifyingunit 42 a. Next, when the detection electrode TDL is separated from thepower supply and is electrically connected to the detection electrodeTDL, the detection signal Vdet is supplied from the touch detectiondevice 30 a to the touch driving and sensing signal amplifying unit 42 aas a charge amount flowing into the detection circuit. Then, the touchdetection unit 40 a detects the input position based on theelectrostatic capacitance of each of the plurality of the detectionelectrodes TDL.

In the example shown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, the auxiliary electrode AE1may be formed, and an active shield driving signal Vas formed of analternate-current signal having the same phase as that of thealternate-current signal contained in the touch detection driving signalVtd supplied to the detection electrode TDL formed of the drivingelectrode COML1 may be supplied to the auxiliary electrodes AE1 inperforming the touch detection operation. That is, when the scan drivingunit 50 (see FIG. 29) supplies the touch detection driving signal Vtd tothe plurality of the detection electrodes TDL, and when the activeshield driving signal Vas is supplied to the auxiliary electrode AE1,the touch detection unit 40 a may detect the input position based on theelectrostatic capacitance of each of the plurality of the detectionelectrodes TDL. Thus, a parasitic capacitance generated between thedetection electrode TDL and each of the wirings included in the arraysubstrate 2 can be eliminated, so that the sensitivity of the touchdetection can be enhanced. However, the auxiliary electrode AE1 may notbe formed.

As described later with reference to FIG. 37, note that only theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 that are arranged in theX-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in a matrix form when seen ina plan view may be formed in place of the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 thatintersect with each other. Moreover, all the plurality of the detectionelectrodes TDL each formed of the driving electrodes COML1 may beconnected to the touch driving and sensing signal amplifying unit 42 athrough an individually-formed routing wiring. When the touch detectiondevice 30 a is a touch detection device of a self-capacitance system,all the plurality of the detection electrodes TDL can be individuallyconnected to the touch driving and sensing signal amplifying unit 42 aby using such a connection method. Thus, the input position can bedetected with high positional accuracy.

More specifically, without forming the plurality of the connectionportions CN1 and the plurality of the connection portions CN2, by usingthe same connection method as a connection method to be explained laterwith reference to FIG. 36 and FIG. 37, all the plurality of theelectrode portions CP1 and the plurality of the electrode portions CP2can be individually connected to the touch driving and sensing signalamplifying unit 42 a.

<Driving Method>

The driving method of the display apparatus 1 a according to the presentsecond embodiment can be set as the same as the driving method of thedisplay apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and has the same effects asthose of the driving method of the display apparatus 1 of the firstembodiment.

<Driving Method with Gray Level Control>

The driving method with the gray level control in the display apparatus1 a according to the second embodiment can be set as the same as thedriving method with gray level control in the display apparatus 1 of thefirst embodiment, and has the same effects as those of the drivingmethod with gray level control in the display apparatus 1 of the firstembodiment.

<First Modified Example of Display Device Having Touch DetectionFunction>

Next, with reference to FIG. 34 and FIG. 35, the first modified exampleof the display device having a touch detection function will bedescribed. In the present first modified example, the driving electrodesCOM1 and the driving electrodes COM2 are formed on different layers fromeach other.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device having atouch detection function of the first modified example of the secondembodiment. FIG. 35 is a plan view schematically showing a configurationof driving electrodes and auxiliary electrodes in the first modifiedexample of the second embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 34 is a cross-sectionalview taken along line A-A of FIG. 35.

In the present first modified example, the facing substrate 3 has thesubstrate 31 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1. Theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 are formed on the lowersurface of the substrate 31 at the display region Ad or the touchdetection region At when seen in a plan view. The plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1 can be set as the same as that of the exampleshown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33.

On the other hand, in the present first modified example, each of theplurality of the driving electrodes COML2 is formed on a layer differentfrom that of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1. In thismanner, it is not required to form the connection portions CN2 of thedriving electrodes COML2 on a layer different from that of the electrodeportions CP2, in comparison with the example shown in FIG. 32 or FIG.33, and therefore, the driving electrodes COML2 can be formed easily.

Alternatively, the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 may beformed on the upper surface of the substrate 31, or may be formed on thelower surface of the barrier film 64 formed on the lower surface of thesubstrate 61. In the example shown in FIG. 34, the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML2 are formed on the lower surface of the barrierfilm 64, and a protective film PF1 is formed on the lower surface of thebarrier film 64 so as to cover the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML2. Moreover, the protective film PF1 formed on the lower surface ofthe barrier film 64 is made in contact with the upper surface of thesubstrate 31 of the facing substrate 3.

Note that it is only required to form the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 ondifferent layers from each other. Therefore, both of the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML2 may be formed on the lower surface of the substrate 31.Alternatively, both of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 andthe plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 may be formed on the uppersurface of the substrate 31.

Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 is extended in theY-axis direction and is also arranged in the X-axis direction when seenin a plan view. Each of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2includes a plurality of electrode portions CP2 and a plurality ofconnection portions CN2. In the present first modified example, asdifferent from the example shown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, each of theplurality of the electrode portions CP2 and each of the plurality of theconnection portions CN2 are formed on the lower surface of the barrierfilm 64, that is, on the upper surface of the substrate 31, at thedisplay region Ad or the touch detection region At. The plurality of theelectrode portions CP2 are arranged in the Y-axis direction when seen ina plan view. Moreover, the two electrode portions CP2 that are adjacentto each other in the Y-axis direction are electrically connected to eachother by the connection portion CN2.

In the present first modified example, the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 areformed on different layers from each other. Therefore, the connectionportions CN2 are formed on the same layer as that of the electrodeportions CP2.

As similar to the first modified example of the first embodiment, alsoin the present first modified example, the distance between the uppersurface of the pixel electrode 22 and the lower surface of the drivingelectrode COML2 is not different so much from the distance between theupper surface of the pixel electrode 22 and the lower surface of thedriving electrode COML1. Therefore, by such adjustment that the displaydriving signal Vcomd to be supplied to each of the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML2 is made larger than the display driving signalVcomd to be supplied to each of the plurality of the driving electrodesCOML1, the same display driving process as that in the case of formationof the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 and the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML2 on the same layer can be performed.

Meanwhile, in the present first modified example, an auxiliary electrodeAE2 is formed to be opposite to the substrate 21 through the pluralityof the driving electrodes COML1 and the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML2. In performing the touch detection operation, to theauxiliary electrode AE2, the scan driving unit 50 (see FIG. 29) suppliesan active shield driving signal Vas formed of an alternate-currentsignal having the same phase as that of the alternate-current signalcontained in the touch detection driving signal Vtd supplied to thedetection electrodes TDL formed of the driving electrodes COML1. Thus, aparasitic capacitance generated between the detection electrode TDL andeach part of the periphery of the detection electrode TDL can beremoved, so that the detection sensitivity of the touch detection can bereliably improved.

More preferably, the auxiliary electrode AE2 is disposed so as tooverlap with the substrate 31 at portions located between the twodriving electrodes COML1 adjacent to each other in the Y-axis directionof the plurality among the driving electrodes COML1 and between the twodriving electrodes COML2 adjacent to each other in the X-axis directionamong the plurality of the driving electrodes COML2 when seen in a planview.

More specifically, the auxiliary electrode AE2 includes: a pluralityconductor lines ML5 that are arranged while being spaced from each otherwhen seen in a plan view; and a plurality of conductor lines ML6 thatare arranged while being spaced from each other and intersecting withthe plurality of the respective conductor lines ML5 when seen in a planview. Moreover, the auxiliary electrode AE2 includes a plurality ofopenings OP1 each of which is partitioned by the plurality of theconductor lines ML5 and the plurality of the conductor lines ML6 andwhich has a square shape, when seen in a plan view. At this time, theX-axis direction corresponds to one of diagonal directions of each ofthe plurality of the openings OP1, and the Y-axis direction correspondsto the other diagonal direction of each of the plurality of the openingsOP1, which is different from the X-axis direction.

In the present first modified example, the driving electrodes COML1 areoperated as the driving electrodes for the electrophoresis displaydevice, and also operated as the detection electrodes TDL for the touchdetection device. Moreover, the driving electrodes COML2 are operated asthe driving electrodes for the electrophoresis display device, and alsooperated as the detection electrodes TDL for the touch detection device.

As shown in FIG. 34, note that the auxiliary electrode AE2 can be formedon, for example, the same layer as the color filter layer 62. Thus, thethickness of the display apparatus can be made thinner.

As similar to the example shown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, the presentfirst modified example may be also provided with the auxiliary electrodeAE1. Moreover, in performing the touch detection operation, the activeshield driving signal Vas (see FIG. 29) formed of an alternate-currentsignal having the same phase as that of the alternate-current signalcontained in the touch detection driving signal Vtd (see FIG. 29) to besupplied to the detection electrodes TDL formed of the drivingelectrodes COML1 may be supplied to the auxiliary electrode AE1. Thus, aparasitic capacitance generated between the detection electrode TDL andeach of wirings included in the array substrate 2 can be eliminated, sothat the detection sensitivity of the touch detection can be enhanced.However, the auxiliary electrodes AE1 may not be formed.

As shown in FIG. 34 and FIG. 35, in the present first modified example,the auxiliary electrode AE2 is formed on the substrate 31 on a portiondisposed between the driving electrodes COML1 and the driving electrodesCOML2 when seen in a plan view. Moreover, in performing the touchdetection operation, the active shield driving signal Vas formed of analternate-current signal having the same phase as that of thealternate-current signal contained in the touch detection driving signalVtd to be supplied to the detection electrodes TDL formed of the drivingelectrodes COML1 is supplied to the auxiliary electrode AE2. That is,when the scan driving unit 50 (see FIG. 29) supplies a touch detectiondriving signal Vtd to the plurality of the detection electrodes TDL andalso supplies the active shield driving signal Vas to the auxiliaryelectrode AE2, the touch detection unit 40 a (see FIG. 29) detects aninput position based on each electrostatic capacitance of the pluralityof the detection electrodes TDL. Thus, in comparison with a case withoutthe auxiliary electrode AE2, a parasitic capacitance generated betweenthe detection electrode TDL and each part on the periphery of thedetection electrode TDL that is located on the upper portion can beeliminated, so that the detection sensitivity of the touch detection canbe enhanced.

Other parts than that can be set as the same as those of the exampleshown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33.

Note that, by using a connection method that is the same as theconnection method to be explained with reference to FIG. 36 and FIG. 37to be described later, both of the plurality of the electrode portionsCP1 and the plurality of the electrode portions CP2 can be individuallyconnected to the touch driving and sensing signal amplifying unit 42 awithout forming the plurality of the connection portions CN1 and theplurality of the connection portions CN2. Thus, the input position canbe detected with high positional accuracy.

<Second Modified Example of Display Device Having Touch DetectionFunction>

Next, with reference to FIG. 36 and FIG. 37, the second modified exampleof the display device having a touch detection function will bedescribed. In the present second modified example, the plurality of thedriving electrodes COM1 are arranged in a matrix form.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device having atouch detection function of the second modified example of the secondembodiment. FIG. 37 is a plan view schematically showing configurationsof driving electrodes and auxiliary electrodes in the second modifiedexample of the second embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 36 is a cross-sectionalview taken along a line A-A of FIG. 37.

In the present second modified example, the facing substrate 3 has thesubstrate 31 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1. Theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 are formed on the lowersurface of the substrate 31 at the display region Ad or the touchdetection region At when seen in a plan view. Note that the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML1 may be formed on the upper surface of thesubstrate 31.

In the present second modified example, the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 are disposed in the X-axis direction and Y-axisdirection into a matrix form when seen in a plan view. Moreover, aplurality of routing wirings WR1 are electrically connected to thedriving electrodes COML1, respectively. Therefore, each drivingelectrode COML1 of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 iselectrically connected to the driving electrode driver 14 (see FIG. 5)through the routing wiring WR1 corresponding to this driving electrodeCOML1. By using such a connection method, each of the plurality of thedetection electrodes TDL can be individually connected to the touchdriving and sensing signal amplifying unit 42 a, and therefore, theinput position can be detected with high positional accuracy.

Moreover, in the present second modified example, the auxiliaryelectrode AE2 is formed to be opposite to the substrate 21 through theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1. During a touch detectionoperation period, to the auxiliary electrode AE2, the touch detectionunit 40 a supplies an active shield driving signal Vas formed of analternate-current signal having the same phase as that of thealternate-current signal contained in the touch detection driving signalVtd supplied to the detection electrodes TDL formed of the drivingelectrodes COML1. Thus, a parasitic capacitance generated between thedetection electrode TDL and each part on the periphery of the detectionelectrode TDL can be eliminated, so that the detection sensitivity ofthe touch detection can be enhanced.

More preferably, the auxiliary electrode AE2 is disposed so as to beoverlapped with the substrate 31 at a portion located between twoadjacent driving electrodes COML1 among the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 when seen in a plan view.

More specifically, the auxiliary electrode AE2 includes: a plurality ofconductor lines ML7 each of which is extended in the X-axis directionand which is arranged while being spaced from each other in the Y-axisdirection when seen in a plan view; and a plurality of conductor linesML8 each of which is extended in the Y-axis direction and which isarranged while being spaced from each other in the X-axis direction whenseen in a plan view. Each of the plurality of the conductor lines ML7 isdisposed so as to be overlapped with the substrate 31 at a portionlocated between two driving electrodes COML1 that are adjacent to eachother in the Y-axis direction among the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1. The plurality of the conductor lines ML8 are disposedso as to be overlapped with the substrate 31 at a portion locatedbetween two driving electrodes COML1 that are adjacent to each other inthe X-axis direction of the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1.Moreover, the auxiliary electrode AE2 includes a plurality of openingsOP2 that are partitioned by the plurality of the conductor lines ML7 andthe plurality of the conductor lines ML8 and that have a square shapewhen seen in a plan view. The plurality of the openings OP2 are arrangedinto a matrix form in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

In the present second modified example, the plurality of the drivingelectrodes COML1 are operated as the driving electrodes for theelectrophoresis display device, and also operated as the detectionelectrodes TDL for the touch detection device.

As shown in FIG. 36, note that the auxiliary electrode AE2 can be formedon, for example, the lower surface of the barrier film 64.

Also in the present second modified example, as similar to the exampleshown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, the auxiliary electrode AE1 may be formed.Moreover, in performing the touch detection operation, the active shielddriving signal Vas, formed of an alternate-current signal having thesame phase as that of the alternate-current signal contained in thetouch detection driving signal Vtd supplied to the detection electrodesTDL formed of the driving electrodes COML1, may be applied to theauxiliary electrode AE1. Thus, a parasitic capacitance generated betweenthe detection electrode TDL and each of wirings included in the arraysubstrate 2 can be eliminated, so that the sensitivity of the touchdetection can be enhanced. However, the auxiliary electrode AE1 may notbe formed.

Moreover, in the present second modified example, as shown in FIG. 36and FIG. 37, the auxiliary electrode AE2 is formed on the auxiliaryelectrode AE1 at a portion located between the driving electrode COML1and the driving electrode COML2 when seen in a plan view. Moreover, inperforming the touch detection operation, the active shield drivingsignal Vas, formed of an alternate-current signal having the same phaseas that of the alternate-current signal contained in the touch detectiondriving signal Vtd supplied to the detection electrodes TDL formed ofthe driving electrodes COML1, is supplied to the auxiliary electrodeAE2. Thus, in comparison with the case without the auxiliary electrodeAE2, a parasitic capacitance generated between the detection electrodeTDL and each of portions on the periphery of the detection electrodeTDL, that is, the upper portion thereof can be eliminated, so that thedetection sensitivity of the touch detection can be reliably increased.

Other parts than that can be set as the same as those of the exampleshown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33.

<Third Modified Example of Display Device Having Touch DetectionFunction>

Next, with reference to FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, the third modified exampleof the display device having a touch detection function will bedescribed. In the present third modified example, the display devicehaving a touch detection function is a display device in which a touchdetection device is attached onto the display device. Moreover, in thepresent third modified example, the plurality of the driving electrodesCOM1 are formed as not the detection electrodes for the touch detectiondevice but electrodes to which the active shield driving signal Vas (seeFIG. 29) is supplied.

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view showing a display device having atouch detection function of the third modified example of the secondembodiment. FIG. 39 is a plan view schematically showing configurationsof driving electrodes and auxiliary electrodes in the third modifiedexample of the second embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 38 is a cross-sectionalview taken along a line A-A of FIG. 39.

In the present third modified example, the facing substrate 3 has thesubstrate 31 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1. Theplurality of the driving electrodes COML1 are formed on the lowersurface of the substrate 31 at the display region Ad or the touchdetection region At when seen in a plan view. Note that the plurality ofthe driving electrodes COML1 may be formed on the upper surface of thesubstrate 31.

In the present third modified example, the protective substrate 6 has aplurality of detection electrodes TDL1 and a plurality of detectionelectrodes TDL2. The plurality of the detection electrodes TDL1 and theplurality of the detection electrodes TDL2 are formed on the uppersurface of the barrier film 64 included in the protective substrate 6 atthe display region Ad or the touch detection region At when seen in aplan view. Moreover, the protective film PF1 is formed on the uppersurface of the barrier film 64 so as to cover the plurality of thedetection electrodes TDL1 and the plurality of the detection electrodesTDL2.

Each of the plurality of the detection electrodes TDL1 is extended inthe X-axis direction and is also arranged in the Y-axis direction whenseen in a plan view. Each of the plurality of the detection electrodesTDL1 includes a plurality of electrode portions CP1 and a plurality ofconnection portions CN1. Each of the plurality of the electrode portionsCP1 and each of the plurality of the connection portions CN1 are formedon the upper surface of the barrier film 64 at the display region Ad orthe touch detection region At. The plurality of the electrode portionsCP1 are arranged in the X-axis direction when seen in a plan view.Moreover, the two electrode portions CP1 that are adjacent to each otherin the X-axis direction are electrically connected to each other by theconnection portion CN1.

Each of the plurality of the detection electrodes TDL2 is extended inthe Y-axis direction and is also arranged in the X-axis direction whenseen in a plan view. Each of the plurality of the detection electrodesTDL2 includes a plurality of electrode portions CP2 and a plurality ofconnection portions CN2. Each of the plurality of the electrode portionsCP2 is formed on the upper surface of the barrier film 64 at the displayregion Ad or the touch detection region At. The plurality of theelectrode portions CP2 are arranged in the Y-axis direction when seen ina plan view. Moreover, the two electrode portions CP2 that are adjacentto each other in the Y-axis direction are electrically connected to eachother by the connection portion CN2.

In the example as shown in FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, the plurality of thedetection electrodes TDL1 and the plurality of the detection electrodesTDL2 are formed on the same layer. For this reason, the connectionportions CN2 are formed on a layer different from that of the electrodeportions CP2, and each of them is formed so as to bridge over each ofthe connection portions CN1 through an insulating film not shown.

Also in the present third modified example, the display driving signalVcomd (see FIG. 29) is supplied to the driving electrodes COML1 by thedriving electrode driver 14, and the pixel signal Vpix (see FIG. 29) issupplied by the source driver 13 to the pixel electrode 22 included ineach of the sub-pixels SPix belonging to the selected one horizontalline in the selected partial display region Adp (see FIG. 13). In thismanner, in the selected partial display region Adp, an electric field isformed between each of the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22 and eachof the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1, so that an image isdisplayed in each horizontal line in the selected partial display regionAdp.

However, in the present third modified example, since the drivingelectrodes COML1 are formed in the display region Ad as integralmembers, the display driving signal Vcomd is supplied to theintegrally-formed driving electrodes COML1 also in each of the displayoperating period Pd in the one frame period 1F.

In the present third modified example, the driving electrodes COML1 areoperated as the driving electrodes for the electrophoresis displaydevice. On the other hand, in the present third modified example, thedetection electrodes TDL1 and the detection electrodes TDL2 are operatedas the detection electrodes for the touch detection device. That is, inthe present third modified example, the driving electrodes COML1included in the facing substrate 3 are not operated as the detectionelectrodes for the touch detection device.

In the present third modified example, in performing the touch detectionoperation, an active shield driving signal Vas (see FIG. 29), formed ofan alternate-current signal having the same phase as that of thealternate-current signal contained in the touch detection driving signalVtd (see FIG. 29) supplied to the detection electrodes TDL1 and thedetection electrodes TDL2, is supplied to the driving electrodes COML1.That is, in the present third modified example, in performing the touchdetection operation, the driving electrodes COML1 are operated as theactive shield electrodes.

More specifically, the scan driving unit 50 (see FIG. 29) supplies thetouch detection driving signal Vtd to the plurality of the detectionelectrodes TDL1 or the plurality of the detection electrodes TDL2, andalso supplies the active shield driving signal Vas to the drivingelectrodes COML1. Moreover, at this time, the touch detection unit 40 a(see FIG. 29) detects the input position based on an electrostaticcapacitance of each of the plurality of the detection electrodes TDL1and the plurality of the detection electrodes TDL2.

In this manner, a parasitic capacitance, which is generated between thedetection electrodes TDL1 or the detection electrodes TDL2 and each ofwirings included in the array substrate 2 or between the detectionelectrodes TDL1 or the detection electrodes TDL2 and each of peripheralportions thereof, can be eliminated, so that the detection sensitivityof the touch detection can be enhanced.

Other parts than that can be set as the same as those of the exampleshown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33.

Note that each of the plurality of the electrode portions CP1 and theplurality of the electrode portions CP2 can be individually connected tothe touch driving and sensing signal amplifying unit 42 a withoutforming the plurality of the connection portions CN1 and the pluralityof the connection portions CN2 by using the same connection method asthe connection method explained with reference to FIG. 36 and FIG. 37.Thus, the input position can be detected with high accuracy.

(Main Characteristics and Effects in Each Embodiment)

In the first embodiment and each modified example thereof, the secondembodiment, and the first modified example and second modified exampleof the second embodiment, the display apparatus has the substrate 21,the substrate 31 disposed so as to face the substrate 21, theelectrophoresis layer 5 sandwiched between the substrate 21 and thesubstrate 31, the plurality of the pixel electrodes 22 formed on thesubstrate 21 and the plurality of the driving electrodes COML1 formed onthe substrate 31. The electric field is formed between each of theplurality of the pixel electrodes 22 and each of the plurality of thedriving electrodes COML1, so that the image is displayed, and the inputposition is detected based on the electrostatic capacitance of each ofthe plurality of the driving electrodes COML1.

In this manner, in the display apparatus provided with theelectrophoresis layer, the driving electrodes for use in displaying theimage can also be operated as electrodes for detecting the inputposition.

Also, in the first embodiment and each modified example thereof, thesecond embodiment, and the first modified example and second modifiedexample of the second embodiment, the display driving unit 50 repeatsthe display driving process DP and the detection driving process TPalternately, while successively cyclically changing the partial displayregion Adp and also successively cyclically changing the partialdetection region Atp. Moreover, in the detection driving process TP, thetouch detection unit formed in the display apparatus detects the inputposition at the selected partial detection region Atp based on theelectrostatic capacitance of the driving electrodes COML1 disposed onthe selected partial detection region Atp.

Thus, the display apparatus provided with the electrophoresis layer hasa slower display rewriting speed and a larger ratio of the frequency forrepeating the touch detection with respect to the frequency forrewriting the display than those of the liquid crystal displayapparatus. However, in the display apparatus provided with theelectrophoresis layer, the response performance of the touch detectioncan be improved as the same as that of the liquid crystal displayapparatus.

In the first embodiment and each modified example thereof, the secondembodiment, and the first modified example and second modified exampleof the second embodiment, the input device can be formed as an integraldevice with the display apparatus, and therefore, the thickness of thedisplay apparatus can be easily thinner. Moreover, since the thicknessof the overall display apparatus including the input device can be madethinner, the visibility of the image displayed on the display apparatuscan be improved.

In the foregoing, the invention made by the present inventors has beenconcretely described based on the embodiments. However, it is needlessto say that the present invention is not limited to the foregoingembodiments and various modifications and alterations can be made withinthe scope of the present invention.

In the scope of the concept of the present invention, various modifiedexamples and alteration examples could have been easily thought up bythose who skilled in the art, and it could be acknowledged that thesevarious modified examples and alteration examples belong to the scope ofthe present invention.

For example, the ones obtained by appropriately adding, removing, orchanging in designs the components to/from/into above-described eachembodiment by those who skilled in the art or adding, omitting, orchanging in conditions the step to/from/into the above-described eachembodiment are also within the scope of the present invention as long asthey include the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is effectively applied to a display device.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A display apparatus comprising:a first substrate; a second substrate that is disposed so as to face thefirst substrate; an electrophoresis layer sandwiched between the firstsubstrate and the second substrate; a plurality of lower electrodesformed on the first substrate; a plurality of upper electrodes formed onthe second substrate, the upper electrodes including first electrodesand second electrodes; a driving unit forming a first driving signal anda second driving signal; and a switch selectively connecting the drivingunit with the second electrodes wherein when the switch is in an onstate to connect the second electrodes with the driving unit, the firstdriving signal is supplied to the lower electrodes and the upperelectrodes to display images, and when the switch is in an off state notto connect the second electrodes with the driving unit, the seconddriving signal is supplied to the lower electrodes to generate theelectric field between the lower electrodes and the first electrodes ofthe upper electrodes, a detection unit connected to the first electrodesand detecting an input position based on electrostatic capacitancebetween the lower electrodes and the first electrodes.
 2. A displayapparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of pixelelectrodes disposed between the electrophoresis layer and the lowerelectrodes, wherein the electric field is generated between the pixelelectrodes and the electrodes supplied with the first driving signal, todisplay the images.
 3. A display apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe lower electrodes are disposed so as to face the pixel electrodes,and function as electrodes of capacitances for holding capacitor to beprovided to electrophoretic particles.
 4. A display apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein the first driving signal has a constant voltage andis commonly supplied to the upper electrodes and the lower electrodes togenerate the electric field in accordance with the voltage differencesbetween the constant voltage and the voltages on the pixel electrodes todisplay the images.
 5. A display apparatus according to claim 4, whereinthe voltage of the second driving signal changes in cyclic to generatethe electric field.
 6. A display apparatus according to claim 5, whereinthe plurality of lower electrodes include lower electrodes each of whichis extended in a first direction and is arranged in a second directionintersecting with the first direction, and the plurality of upperelectrodes include upper electrodes each of which is extended in thesecond direction and is arranged in the first direction.
 7. A displayapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sizes of the lowerelectrodes in the second direction are larger than that of the upperelectrodes in the first direction.
 8. A display apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein each of the upper electrodes includes conductor lineswith a zig-zag shape.
 9. A display apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the upper electrodes corresponding the first electrodes and theupper electrodes corresponding to the second electrodes are formed on adifferent layer in each other.